Cervical Cancer
What is cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer It occurs when abnormal cells in the cervix grow uncontrollably.
Cervix is the lower part of the uterus that opens into vagina.
Cervical cancer can often be successfully treated if detected early.
This disease is usually detected at a very early stage through Pap test.
What causes cervical cancer?
Most cases of cervical cancer are caused by a virus called human papillomavirus, or HPV.
You can contract HPV through sexual contact with someone who has the virus.
There are many types of HPV. Not all types of HPV cause cervical cancer.
Some types cause genital warts, while others may not cause any symptoms.
Most adults have been infected with HPV at some point. The infection may clear up on its own. However, sometimes the infection can causes genital warts or develop into cancer cervix.
That is why it is important for women to have regular Pap tests.
Pap Test can detect changes in cervical cells before they develop into cancer.If these cellular changes are treated, you can prevent cervical cancer.
What Are the Symptoms?
Abnormal changes in cervical cells rarely cause symptoms.
However, you may experience symptoms if these cellular changes develop into cervical cancer.
Symptoms of cervical cancer may include:
Bleeding from vagina abnormal symptoms, such as bleeding between periods, after sexual intercourse, or after menopause.
Pain in the lower abdomen or pelvis.
Pain during sexual intercourse.
Vaginal discharge that is abnormal.
How is cervical cancer diagnosed?
As part of pelvic exam, the source page states that you need to have a Pap test.
During a Pap test, the doctor takes a small sample of cells from the surface of the cervix to check for cellular changes.
If a Pap test shows abnormal cell changes, your doctor may perform additional tests to look for precancerous or cancerous cells in the cervix.
Your doctor may also perform a Pap test and take a tissue sample (biopsy) if you have symptoms of cervical cancer, such as bleeding after sexual intercourse.
What is the treatment?
Treatment for most stages of cervical cancer includes:
•
Treatment for alcohol dependence.
People with cirrhosis caused by alcohol abuse must stop drinking alcohol. If you have cirrhosis, it is very important to stop drinking alcohol because even small amounts of alcohol are toxic to the liver. If it is difficult to stop drinking, your doctor may recommend a treatment program for alcohol addiction.
•
Weight loss.
People with cirrhosis caused by nonalcoholic fatty liver disease can improve their health by losing weight and controlling their blood sugar levels. It is important to maintain an adequate protein intake while trying to lose weight if you have cirrhosis.
•
Medication to control hepatitis.
Medications can limit further damage to liver cells caused by hepatitis B or C through targeted treatment of the virus.
Depending on how far the cancer has progressed, you may undergo one or more types of treatment.
You can also undergo a combination of treatments. If you undergo hysterectomy, You cannot have a child through pregnancy.
However, a hysterectomy is not always necessary, especially when the cancer is detected at a very early stage.
Can cervical cancer be prevented?
01
Pap Test
The source page states that the Pap test is the best way to detect changes in cervical cells that could develop into cervical cancer.
Regular Pap tests almost always detect these cellular changes before they develop into cancer.
It is important to follow up on any abnormal Pap test results with your doctor so that abnormal cell changes can be treated. This can help prevent cervical cancer.
02
HPV Vaccine
The source page states that if you are 26 years old or younger, you can receive HPV vaccine, which protects against the types of HPV that cause most cases of cervical cancer. The source also notes that the HPV vaccine can be administered starting at age 10.
03
Safer sexual practices
Practice safer sex, such as using condom and limiting the number of sexual partners. The virus that causes cervical cancer spreads through sexual contact.
Risk Factors
Risk factors cervical cancer is something that increases your risk of developing cancer that.
Having one or more of these risk factors can increase your chances of developing cervical cancer.
However, that doesn't mean you'll definitely experience it.
People with cervical cancer do not always have any of these risk factors.