Welcome to Sex, Health & Bliss Channel! Our topic is about Cervical Cancer Facts every woman needs to know.
Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the cells of the cervix — the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. Various strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection, play a role in causing most cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer starts on the surface of woman's cervix. When abnormal cells first begin to change and grow abnormally, it is called dysplasia, which is not yet cancerous. However, if undetected, these cells may become cancerous and move deeper into surrounding tissues and organs.
Since widespread use of the Pap smear to detect precancer of the cervix, the incidence and mortality from cervical cancer has dramatically decreased in the United States in the past 60 years. Currently, the number of women who will be diagnosed with a cervical cancer is about 12,000 per year and number of deaths is approximately 3,800 women.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of cervical cancer are usually detectable after abnormal cervical cells have become cancerous and have invaded nearby tissue. According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology, these symptoms are:
• Blood spots or light bleeding between or following periods.
• Menstrual bleeding that is longer and heavier than usual.
• Bleeding after intercourse, douching, or a pelvic examination.
• Pain during sexual intercourse.
• Bleeding after menopause.
• Increased vaginal discharge.
Precancerous changes of the cervix usually do not cause pain.
Regular Pap Tests
Regular Pap tests are important to your survival: about 90 percent of women whose cervical cancer was detected by a Pap test will survive. The figure is much lower--only 40 percent--for women whose cancer was not diagnosed until they experienced vaginal bleeding.
Diagnosis
To diagnose cervical cancer, the doctor will perform a physical examination, a pelvic examination, and a Pap test. The doctor may also perform a biopsy using a colposcope which magnifies the cells of the cervix and vagina.
If the diagnosis isn't clear, a surgeon may perform a cone biopsy--removal of a larger, cone-shaped piece of tissue. More than 90 percent of cervical cancers can be halted by removing the precancerous tissue in this way, and no further treatment is necessary.
To determine if cancer has invaded or spread to other organs, doctors may use a cytoscope to see the inside of the bladder or urethra; a sigmoidoscope to see the inside of the colon and rectum; or a laparoscope to see the inside of the abdomen. Other test include X-ray, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or positron emission tomography (PET).
Stages
The most common cancer grading system used for gynecological cancers, is the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) system.
Stage 0 – Refers to the "precancer," stage, which is common with cervical cancer, known as dysplasia.
Stage I – Cancer is confined to the cervix.
Stage II – Cancer has invaded nearby tissues (parametria) and upper vagina.
Stage III – Cancer has spread to the pelvic sidewalls or is blocking the ureters, the tubes that connect the kidney to the bladder.
Stage IV – Cancer has either deeply invaded the bladder or rectum or has metastasized to more distant locations, such as the lungs.
Cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes does not change the stage, but is an important prognostic factor and a guide for treatment planning.
Risk Factors
According to the National Cancer Institute, strong risk factors include early age at first intercourse, a history of multiple sexual partners, genital human papillomavirus infection or other sexually transmitted disease (STD), the presence of other genital tract cancers, and prior squamous intra epithelial lesion (abnormal cells). It has been well established that strong strains of the human papilloma virus (HPV) are the main cause of precancer and cancer of the cervix. Women 60 years of age and older are at greater risk for cervical cancer since they are less willing or able to seek medical care for screening or treatment. Other risk factors include active or passive ("second-hand") smoking, poor nutrition and a current or past sexual partner with risk factors for HPV and or STD, immune depression, and testing postive for HIV.
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Sources:
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www.nci.nih.gov
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