Cervical cancer is a disease in which body cells in the cervix or the uterus’ lower part are malfunctioning. The cervix is the canal that leads to the vagina.
To understand cervical cancer, it is important to note where in the body the cervix is located. It is the birth canal that leads to the vagina. Cervical cancer occurs when normal body cells in the cervix transform themselves and develop into a tumor. Though it is obviously scary to have cervical cancer, the good news is it can be prevented. One must first know the risk factors that can lead to cervical cancer:
1. HPVs or Human Papillomaviruses. HPV is a collection of viruses that put the cervix in danger. Infections like this are common and can be passed through sexual intercourse.
2. Age. Those who are over forty-years-old are more prone to getting cervical cancer.
3. Not having Pap tests. Physicians perform Pap tests in order to detect pre-cancerous cells in patients. Therefore, those who regularly have the test, experience a greater chance of preventing cervical cancer.
4. Weak immune system. Enough said.
5. Smoking. Women who have HPV infection but are not smokers are less likely to develop cervical cancer.
6. Promiscuity. Women with a greater number of sex partners have an increased chance of developing cervical cancer.
Symptoms of Cervical Cancer:
1. Irregular vaginal bleeding that occurs after menopause or in between periods.
2. Pelvic pain
3. Excess vaginal discharge
4. Pain during sex
It is imperative that a woman experiencing any of the above symptoms immediately seeks medical attention and obtains a full diagnosis.
The doctor may use the following procedures for a proper diagnosis:
1. Colposcopy is when a doctor uses a colposcope to study the cervical tissues.
2. In a biopsy 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 goes through stages. Stage zero is when cancer is located only on the top layer of cells, whereas at stage one, the cancer is found in the cervix. Nearby tissues are affected when it is at stage two, while the cancer extends to the vagina’s lower part at stage three. Lastly, at stage four, the cancer has spread to other parts of the body such as bladder or rectum.
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