Cervical Cancer-A Severe Concern in Women Health.
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| Cervical Cancer |
Statistical explanation of World Health Organization(WHO), every two Minutes, one women dies of Cervical Cancer. On 2nd February, 2024 younger Kanpur based Indian model turned actress, Miss Poonam Pandey was circulated as the victim of advance stage of cervical cancer. Today we will discus some of the aspects of this severe disease.
What is Cervical Cancer?
Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. It is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In this blog post, we will discuss what causes cervical cancer, what are its possible symptoms, how it can be diagnosed and treated, and how it can be prevented.What causes cervical cancer?
The main cause of cervical cancer is a virus called human papillomavirus (HPV), which is transmitted through sexual contact with an infected person. HPV is very common and there are more than 100 different types of HPV. Some types of HPV can cause genital warts, while others can cause cervical cancer or other cancers in the reproductive organs, anus, or throat.
Not all women who get infected with HPV will develop cervical cancer. Most HPV infections are cleared by the immune system within two years. However, some HPV infections can persist and cause changes in the cells of the cervix, which can lead to cervical cancer over time. The risk of developing cervical cancer depends on several factors, such as:
The type of HPV infection: Some types of HPV are more likely to cause cervical cancer than others. The most common types that cause cervical cancer are HPV-16 and HPV-18.
The duration of HPV infection: The longer the HPV infection lasts, the higher the risk of developing cervical cancer.
The immune system: A weak immune system due to HIV/AIDS, organ transplant, or other conditions can make it harder to fight off HPV infection and prevent cervical cancer.
Other risk factors: Smoking, having multiple sexual partners, having sex at an early age, having other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), using oral contraceptives for a long time, or having a family history of cervical cancer can also increase the risk of developing cervical cancer.
What are the symptoms of cervical cancer?
In its early stages, cervical cancer usually does not cause any symptoms. That is why regular screening tests are important to detect any abnormal changes in the cervix before they become cancerous. However, as cervical cancer progresses, it may cause some symptoms such as:
Abnormal vaginal bleeding: This may include bleeding after sex, between periods, after menopause, or heavier or longer periods than usual.
Abnormal vaginal discharge: This may have a foul odor or a different color or consistency than normal.
Pelvic pain: This may occur during sex or at other times.
Painful urination or increased frequency of urination.
Swelling in one or both legs.
Weight loss or loss of appetite.
If someone experiences any of these symptoms, you should see your doctor as soon as possible. These symptoms do not necessarily mean you have cervical cancer, but they may indicate other health problems that need medical attention.
How is cervical cancer diagnosed?
If you have symptoms of cervical cancer or an abnormal result from a screening test, your doctor will perform further tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine the stage of the cancer. The stage of the cancer indicates how far it has spread and how serious it is. The tests may include:
Pap smear: This is a simple test that involves taking a sample of cells from the cervix and examining them under a microscope for any abnormalities. A Pap smear can detect precancerous changes in the cervix before they become cancerous. It is recommended that women aged 21 to 65 get a Pap smear every three years or as advised by their doctor.
HPV DNA test: This is a test that checks for the presence of high-risk types of HPV in the cervical cells. It can be done along with a Pap smear or separately. It is recommended that women aged 30 to 65 get an HPV DNA test every five years or as advised by their doctor.
Colposcopy: This is a procedure that involves using a special instrument called a colposcope to look at the cervix more closely and identify any abnormal areas. The colposcope magnifies the cervix and shines a light on it. The doctor may also apply some solutions to make the abnormal areas more visible.
Biopsy: This is a procedure that involves taking a small piece of tissue from the cervix and sending it to a lab for further analysis. A biopsy can confirm whether the abnormal cells are cancerous or not and what type of cervical cancer it is. There are different types of biopsies depending on how much tissue is taken and how it is taken. Some examples are:
Punch biopsy: This involves using a sharp tool to remove a small piece of tissue from the cervix.
Cone biopsy: This involves removing a cone-shaped piece of tissue from the cervix using a scalpel or a laser.
Endocervical curettage: This involves using a small spoon-shaped instrument called a curette to scrape some tissue from the inside of the cervix.
Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP): This involves using a thin wire loop that carries an electric current to cut out a piece of tissue from the cervix.
Imaging tests: These are tests that use X-rays, sound waves, magnetic fields, or radioactive substances to create pictures of the inside of the body. They can help determine if the cancer has spread beyond the cervix and to what extent. Some examples are:
X-ray: This uses a small amount of radiation to create images of the bones and organs.
Computed tomography (CT) scan: This uses a series of X-rays taken from different angles to create detailed cross-sectional images of the body.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan: This uses a powerful magnet and radio waves to create detailed images of the body.
Positron emission tomography (PET) scan: This uses a radioactive substance that is injected into the bloodstream and accumulates in areas of high metabolic activity, such as cancer cells. A special camera then detects the radiation and creates images of the body.
How is cervical cancer treated?
The treatment of cervical cancer depends on several factors, such as the stage of the cancer, the type of cervical cancer, the patient's age, general health, and preferences. The main treatment options are:
Surgery: This involves removing the cancerous tissue and sometimes other organs or lymph nodes in the pelvis. Surgery can be done in different ways depending on how much tissue needs to be removed and how it is removed. Some examples are:
Simple hysterectomy: This involves removing the cervix and the uterus along with the cancerous tumor. This is done in very early-stage cervical cancer when the cancer has not spread beyond the cervix.
Radical hysterectomy: This involves removing the cervix, the uterus, part of the vagina, and some lymph nodes in the pelvis along with the cancerous tumor. This is done in more advanced stages of cervical cancer when the cancer has spread beyond the cervix.
Trachelectomy: This involves removing only the cervix and some surrounding tissue, leaving the uterus intact. This is done in some cases of early-stage cervical cancer when the patient wants to preserve her fertility.
Pelvic Exenterating: This involves removing all or some of the organs in the pelvis, such as the bladder, rectum, vagina, ovaries, or fallopian tubes, along with the cancerous tumor. This is done in very advanced stages of cervical cancer when other treatments have failed or when the cancer has recurred.
Radiation therapy: This involves using high-energy rays or particles to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing. Radiation therapy can be given externally or internally. External radiation therapy uses a machine that delivers radiation beams to the pelvic area from outside the body. Internal radiation therapy uses a metal tube or seeds that are placed inside or near the cervix and deliver radiation directly to the tumor. Radiation therapy can be used alone or in combination with surgery or chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy: This involves using drugs that kill cancer cells or stop them from dividing. Chemotherapy can be given orally or intravenously. Chemotherapy can be used alone or in combination with surgery or radiation therapy. Chemotherapy can also be used to shrink tumors before surgery or radiation therapy or to treat recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer.
Targeted therapy: This involves using drugs that target specific molecules or pathways that are involved in cancer growth or survival. Targeted therapy can be given orally or intravenously. Targeted therapy can be used alone or in combination with chemotherapy or radiation therapy. One example of targeted therapy for cervical cancer is bevacizumab (Avastin), which blocks a protein called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) that helps tumors grow new blood vessels.
How can cervical cancer be prevented?
The best way to prevent cervical cancer is to avoid getting infected with HPV or to detect and treat any precancerous changes in the cervix before they become cancerous. Some preventive measures are:
Getting vaccinated against HPV: There are vaccines available that can protect against some of the high-risk types of HPV that cause cervical cancer. The vaccines are recommended for girls and boys aged 9 to 26 years old, preferably before they become sexually active. The vaccines are given as two or three doses over six months.
Getting regular screening tests: Screening tests such as Pap smear and HPV DNA test can help detect any abnormal changes in the cervix before they become cancerous. Women aged 21 to 65 years old should get screened regularly as advised by their doctor.
Practicing safe sex: Using condoms and limiting the number of sexual partners can reduce the risk of getting infected with HPV or other STIs that can increase the risk of cervical cancer.
Quitting smoking: Smoking can reduce the risk factor.
Related Search: Poonam Pandey death causes. Stage of Acute Cervical Cancer.
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