Cervical Cancer

Overview

Cervical cancer develops in the cervix, the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. It is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women, but is treatable and can be prevented if caught in an early stage. Cervical cancer has a five-year survival rate of 70%.

Causes

The exact causes of cervical cancer aren’t known, but as with most other cancers there are many factors that can increase risk:

Risk-Increasing Factors

Cervical cancer has several risk-increasing factors. Like most cancers, some are preventable, and some are not. These factors include:

1. Age- women over 15 have a higher chance of developing cervical cancer.

2. Race- higher numbers of African American, Native American, and Hispanic women develop cervical cancer

3. Multiple sex partners

4. A history of an STD, especially genital warts

5. A promiscuous sex partner

6. Sex at an early age

7. Smoking

8. A diet low in fruits and vegetables

9. Birth control pills can also increase risk because women often do not use contraceptive devices while on the pill

Symptoms

Although many instances of cervical cancer do not produce any symptoms, there are two different sets of clues that do show signs. First, there are symptoms that go with the early stages of the cancer. These can include things such as:

1. Abnormal vaginal bleeding

2. Painful urination

3. Painful intercourse

4. Abnormal vaginal discharge

5. Lower back pain

After the cancer has spread to other areas of the body, it can cause more extreme symptoms, including:

1. Blood in the urine

2. Constipation

3. An abnormal opening in the cervix

4. Blockage of the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder)

Prevention

A few simple things, if done regularly, can prevent cervical cancer. They include the following:

1. Get a pap smear every year, starting either at 18 or after having sexual intercourse for the first time

2. Eat a diet high in fruits and leafy vegetables

3. Always use a condom or a female condom when having sex

4. Limit sex partners as much as possible

5. Avoid smoking

Treatment

There are three treatment options for cervical cancer. These include surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy.

1. Surgery is best during the first stage, when the cancer is found only in the cervix. Women can get a cone biopsy, where part of the cervix is removed. They are still able to have children after this type of surgery. However, sometimes a hysterectomy is needed, after which they cannot have children.

2. Radiotherapy is often needed in combination with surgery when the cancer has spread to cells outside the cervix. The procedure is performed either through an external machine or from a machine inserted into the vagina, to get closer to the cancerous cells.

3. Chemotherapy is used before radiation in most cases. It helps shrink the tumors before radiotherapy has begun. Chemotherapy for cervical cancer is usually given intravenously.