Cervical cancer is the abnormal growth of the surface cells of the cervix – the lower part of the uterus in the human female that opens into the vagina. This cancer is the third most prevalent cancer among women in the world. This disease is preceded by a precancerous condition called dysplasia in which the cervical cells develop abnormalities.
An important characteristic of cervical cancer is the long time the abnormal tissue takes to develop into full-fledged cancer. This gives ample opportunities for early detection through the Pap Smear test, and it is 100% treatable at this stage. Thus, women suffering from cervical cancer are those who do not undergo regular pap tests or do not follow up on abnormal pap results.
Types of Cervical Cancer
cervical cancer types
Cervical cancer is of two main kinds, depending on the type of cells that become cancerous.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
The squamous cells, which are flat cells covering the outer surface of the cervix at the top of the vagina, become cancerous. It is the most commonly occurring cervical cancer.
Adenocarcinoma
The glandular cells lining the cervical canal become cancerous. These cells produce mucus. This cancer is less common and more difficult to detect than squamous cell carcinoma in the screening tests. Other, rare types of cervical cancers are: adenosquamous carcinoma, clear-cell carcinoma and small-cell carcinoma.
Causes of Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer is caused due to infection by the Human Papilloma Virus or HPV. This virus is spread by sexual contact with an infected person. HPV infection is common, and a lot of adults get it at some time or the other. Usually the virus goes away on its own, and only in about 10% women does it remain for more than 5 years. These women have higher risk of cervical cancer, if the infection is by an HPV type that is associated with the disease.
Of the several types of HPV, some cause skin or genital warts and some have no effect. Types 16 and 18 are particularly
dangerous, and types 26, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 53, 56, 58, 59, 66, 68, 73 and 82 are also high-risk. Cervical cancer develops when these aggressive HPV strains activate cancer-causing genes in the body. These genes inhibit the normal functioning of protective proteins which limit cell growth. As such, the cells multiply uncontrollably, causing cancer. If infected with HPV, the following risk factors increase the susceptibility of a woman to cervical cancer:
Other Infections
Sexually transmitted infections, such as chlamydia or HIV, weaken the immune system and along with HPV increase vulnerability to cervical cancer.
Risky Sexual Behavior
Being sexually active before age 18, having multiple sex partners, or having a partner who indulges in high-risk sexual
practices or has had sexual contact with a woman with cervical cancer increases the risk of developing cervical cancer.
Not Being Vaccinated against HPV
Getting vaccinated against HPV before a woman becomes sexually active (between ages 9 and 26) reduces the risk of developing cancer. However, even after vaccination women must not forgo regular screening tests.
Skipping Pap Tests
Nearly 50 – 80% of new cervical cancer cases appear in women who have never undertaken the test, or have not taken it in the past 5 years, otherwise it would have been detected in the early stages.
DES (diethylstilbestrol)
A type of cervical cancer has been seen in women whose mothers took this drug during pregnancy in the 60s to prevent possible miscarriage. Oral contraceptives containing hormones are believed by experts to increase susceptibility to HPV. Hormone Replacement Therapies based only on oestrogen put menopausal women at a higher risk for cervical cancer, while those which also include hormones like progestin tend to reduce the risk.
Benign Endometrial Hyperplasia
Women suffering from this condition are more likely than others to contract cervical cancer.
Excess Weight
Overweight women have more than normal oestrogen levels, making them more vulnerable than slim women.
Early Motherhood
Women having their first baby at 17 or younger have twice the risk of developing cervical cancer than those having their first baby at 25 or older.
Smoking
Chemicals in cigarettes cause precancerous changes in the cervix and harm the cells that fight cancer, hence smokers have twice the risk of developing cervical cancer than non-smokers.
Weak Immunity
A weak immune system, such as due to HIV infection or taking immunosuppressants after organ transplant, may not be able to fight HPV infection.
Poverty
Undernourishment and nutritional deficiencies increase the risk. Also, medical services may not be accessible to poor women for screening tests; so the cancer may remain undiagnosed up to the advanced stage.
Diet
A diet that is not rich in fruits and vegetables can increase the risk of developing cervical cancer.
Douching
This washes out the antiviral agents naturally present in the vagina, hence frequent douching increases the risk of cervical cancer.
Contact With Chemicals
Women working in fields where they are exposed to certain chemicals are at greater risk of cervical cancer.
Symptoms of Cervical Cancer
abnormal vaginal discharge
In the precancerous stage, when the cervical cells only show abnormalities, there are no symptoms. That is why it is important for sexually active women to undergo screening tests – these will detect the abnormalities that may lead to cancer. The following are the symptoms of cervical cancer:
Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding
This includes bleeding between periods, after intercourse, after menopause, or after a pelvic examination. Abnormal bleeding does not occur in the precancerous stage and during early cervical cancer. It happens when the cancer invades neighboring tissue.
Changes in Menstrual Cycle
Any irregularities or changes in the cycle, such as periods that last longer or are heavier than usual.
Abnormal Vaginal Discharge
Discharge that is tinged with blood, hence is pink, brown, reddish, or is foul-smelling, or is continuous.
Pelvic Pain
In advanced cervical cancer, apart from those mentioned above, the symptoms that are noticed are: back pain, leg pain,
swelling in legs, fractures, loss of appetite, fatigue, weight loss, leaking of urine or feces from the vagina. However, it is important to remember that some of these symptoms are also true for other sexually transmitted diseases, hence only a proper medical examination can establish the presence or absence of cervical cancer.
Photo Credit:
http://www.humanillnesses.com/original/U-Z/Uterine-and-Cervical-Cancer.html#b
http://www.cancers.biz/tag/cervical-cancer
http://findmeacure.com/2011/05/29/human-papilloma-virus-hpv/
http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/how_can_human_papillomavirus_hpv_cervical_cancer_be_prevented_000046_7.htm
http://www.coolhealthtips.com/what-are-vaginal-discharge-and-abnormal-vaginal-discharge.html