Overview of Cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is malignant neoplasm of the cervix uteri or cervical area. One of the most common symptoms is abnormal vaginal bleeding, but in some cases there maybe no obvious symptoms until the cancer is in its advanced stages. Treatment consists of surgery (including local excision) in early stages and chemotherapy and radiotherapy in advanced stages of the disease.
Pap smear screening can identify potentially precancerous changes , treatment of high grade changes can prevent the development of cancer. In developed countries, the widespread use of cervical screening programs has reduced the incidence of invasive cervical cancer by 50% or more.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a necessary factor of the development of almost all cases of cervical cancer. Human papillomavirus vaccines effective against the two strain of HPV that currently cause approximately 70% of cervical cancer have been licensed in the U.S, Canada, Australia and the E.U. Since the vaccines only cover some of the cancer causing (high-risk) types of HPV, women should seek regular Pap smear screening, even after vaccination.

The cervix is the narrow portion of the uterus where it joins with the top of the vagina. Most cervical cancers are squamous cell carcinomas, arising in the squamous (flattened) epithelial cells that line the cervix. Adenocarcinoma, arising in glandular epithelial cells is the second most common types. Very rarely, cancer can arise in other types of cells in the cervix.



QUICK FACTS ON CERVICAL CANCER

- Cervical cancer symptoms includes bleeding between menstrual periods and after sex.

- It is both the fourth most common cause of cancer and the fourth most common cause of death from cancer in women.

- About 70% of cervical cancer occur in developing countries.

- Survival rates are good if cervical cancer is caught early.

- Precancerous changes in the cervix may be treated with cryosurgery, cauterization, or laser surgery.

- In medical research, the most famous immortalised cell line known as Hela was developed from cervical caner cells of a woman named Henrietta Lacks.


CAUSES OF CERVICAL CANCER
Hpv infection with high risk types has been shown to be a necessary factor in the development of cervical cancer. HPV DNA maybe detected in virtually all cases of cervical cancer.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is found in about 99% of cervical cancers. There are over 100 different types of HPV, most of which are considered low-risk and do not cause cervical cancer. High-risk HPV types may cause cervical cell abnormalities or cancer. More than 70 percent of cervical cancer cases can be attributed to two types of the virus, HPV-16 and HPV-18, often referred to as high-risk HPV types.

HPV is estimated to be the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. In fact, by age 50 approximately 80% of women have been infected with some type of HPV. The majority of women infected with the HPV virus do NOT develop cervical cancer. For most women the HPV infection does not last long; 90% of HPV infections resolve on their own within 2 years. A small number of women do not clear the HPV virus and are considered to have “persistent infection. A woman with a persistent HPV infection is at greater risk of developing cervical cell abnormalities and cancer than a woman whose infection resolves on its own. Certain types of this virus are able to transform normal cervical cells into abnormal ones. In a small number of cases and usually over a long period of time (from several years to several decades), some of these abnormal cells may then develop into cervical cancer.

SYMPTOMS OF CERVICAL CANCER

Early cervical cancer usually don't cause symptoms
When the cancer grows larger,women may notice one or more of these symptoms;
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding.

- Bleeding that occurs between regular menstrual periods.

- Bleeding after sexual intercourse, douching or a pelvic exam.

- Menstrual periods that last longer and are heavier than before.

- Bleeding after going through menopause.

- Increased vaginal discharge.

- Pelvic pain.

- Pain during sex.


Infections or other health problems may also cause these symptoms.Only a doctor can tell for sure, a woman with any of these symptoms should tell her doctor so that problems can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible. Follow link to continue reading=https=www.gregoryhealthworld.com/2018/09/women-and-cervical-cancer.html