Cervical cancer is a disease in which body cells in the cervix
or the uterus' lower part are malfunctioning. The cervix is that
canal that leads to the vagina.
To understand what cervical cancer is, it is important to note
what a cervix is first. It is the birth canal that leads to the
vagina. Cervical cancer is a disease when body cells in the
cervix act up until they develop a tumor. When normal cells
transform themselves to cancer cells, cervical cancer sets in.
Though it is obviously scary to have cervical cancer, the good
news is it can be prevented. One must first know the risk
factors or chances that she will develop cervical cancer.
The risk factors of cervical cancer are:
1. HPVs or Human Papillomaviruses
HPV is a collection of viruses that put the cervix to danger.
Infections like this are common and can be passed through sexual
intercourse.
2. Old age
Those who are over 40 are more prone to getting cervical cancer.
3. Not having Pap tests
Those who regularly go for Pap tests have the greater chances to
prevent cervical cancer for the very reason that Pap tests
detect precancerous cells.
4. Weak immune system
Enough said.
5. Smoking nonstop
Women who have HPV infection but are not smokers are less likely
to develop cervical cancer.
6. Promiscuity
Women who have a lot of sex partners have greater chances to
have cervical cancer.
How to know if one has cervical cancer. Here are some of the
symptoms:
1. Vaginal bleeding that is irregular, abnormal and happens
after menopause or in between periods.
2. Pelvic pain
3. Excess vaginal discharge
4. Pain during sex
The moment the symptoms set in, a woman has to go to a doctor
for the diagnosis. Here are some procedures for the proper
diagnosis:
1. Colposcopy. This is when a doctor uses a colposcope to look
at the cervical tissues.
2. Biopsy. This is when a doctor removes tissues and check for
cancer cells.
There are four types of biopsy: punch biopsy, LEEP, endocervical
curettage and conization.
Like any other cancer, cervical cancer has stages. Stage 0 is
when cancer is located on the top layer of cells where as stage
1 is when the cancer is found in the cervix. Nearby tissues are
affected when it is already stage 2, while stage 3 is when the
cancer extends to the vagina's lower part. Lastly, stage 4 is
when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body like
bladder and rectum.
Once cervical cancer is detected, it is mandatory that the woman
goes out and looks for second opinion. If cervical cancer is
still confirmed, then she must subject herself to the proper
treatment.
She may be treated through chemotherapy, radiation therapy,
surgery or even a combination of all these methods.
1. Surgery
Surgery is used to treat the cervix and body parts adjacent to
it.
2. Radiation Therapy
This is when high-energy rays go destroy cervical cancer cells.
There are two kinds of radiation: external and internal.
3. Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is defined as the treatment wherein anticancer
drugs try to combat cancer cells.
A woman who has cervical cancer must not lose hope. As long as
she is receiving the right treatment and getting all the moral
support from her loved ones, the chance of her survival will be
great.
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