Cervical cancer

Cervial cancer is a worry to all women, and this article is written in an attempt to help address those worries, giving full details of what cervical cancer is, and what to look out for. Do visit your general practitioner if you have worries about whether this is affecting your life.

Cervical cancer is one of the two main types of primary uterine cancers. The rate of cervical cancers has been decreased from 45 cases per 100,000 to 15 cases per 100,000 women because of early detection by pap smear. However, it is still the third most common female reproductive cancers.

Cervical cancers occur between the ages 30 to 45, but can also occur as early as 18. Sexual activity has influence over cervical cancers under the age of 25. It is more prevalent in those with the history of multiple sexual partners and several early pregnancies. Studies suggest that this type of cancer may even be sexually transmitted. Invasive cervical cancer has been identified as an HIV-defining condition.

Apart from first intercourse at early age, early childbearing and multiple partners, the risk factors of having cervical cancer may include exposure to human papillomavirus (HPV), HIV infection, smoking and exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) in utero. Diagnosis is made with the history, signs and symptoms, and results of pap smear followed by biopsy.

Symptoms of cervical cancer are vaginal discharge, irregular bleeding, or bleeding after sexual intercourse. But many women have no symptoms of the disease and are identified to have cervical cancer during the routine pap smear test.

In advanced stages of cervical cancer, women usually complain of increasing vaginal discharge that are watery, and finally become dark and foul smelling because of necrosis and infection of the tumor. Bleeding, which occur at irregular intervals between periods (metrorrhagia), or after menopause, may be slight (just enough to spot in the undergarments), and occurs usually after mild trauma (such as intercourse, douching or defecation). As the disease continues, bleeding may persist and increase.

Chronic cervical infection also play a significant role in cervical cancer. The chronic cervical infection soon turns to become a cervical cancer. The symptoms of chronic cervical infection are similar to the signs and symptoms of cervical cancer. The clinical signs of the disease include a large, reddish growth or a deep, ulcerating crater before the woman notices any obvious symptoms.

As the cancer advances, it may invade the tissues outside the cervix, including the lymph glands anterior to the sacrum. The cervical cancer also accompanies the cancer involving the fundus of the uterus in almost one-third of all women with cervical cancers. The nerves in the region may be affected, producing excruciating pain in the back and the legs that is relieved only by large doses of opioid analgesics.

In the final stage, when the cancer is left untreated, it may present with symptoms of extreme emaciation and anemia, which is usually accompanied by fever due to secondary infection and abscesses in the ulcerating mass, and fistula formation.

It is better to seek treatment if any of the above mentioned symptom is present. Earlier the detection, better the prognosis. Pap smear done once every year for all women in reproductive age as a part of general check up can identify the early symptoms. Any infection of the reproductive system should be treated immediately. Lead a healthy sexual life and prevent yourself from acquiring any killer disease.