Cervical Cancer: Symptoms, Causes, Risk Factors, & Treatment

Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the uterine cervix, which is the lower end of the uterus that connects to the upper vagina. Cervical cancer remains a leading cause of cancer and death in women in developing countries who do not have access to cervical cancer screening (Pap testing) or vaccines against human papillomaviruses (HPVs).

Cervical cancer differs from cancers that start in other parts of the uterus (uterine or endometrial cancer). Cervical cancer has a very high cure rate if detected early. Vaccination against HPVs, which has been linked to cervical cancer, is an effective preventative cervical cancer treatment measure.

Cervical Cancer Symptoms

Cervical cancer symptoms are usually mild and go unnoticed in the early stages. Cancer symptoms vary depending on the stage of the disease.

A person may have no symptoms at all in the early stages of cervical cancer. The following are some of the signs and symptoms of stage 1 cervical cancer:

• Vaginal discharge that is either watery or bloody
• Vaginal discharge with a foul odor
• Vaginal bleeding following sexual contact
• Bleeding between menstrual cycles
• Longer and heavier menstrual periods
• Bleeding after menopause
• Discomfort during sexual contact

Cervical Cancer Causes:

Cervical cancer is caused by genetic mutations that occur in the healthy cells of the cervical tissue. Normal cells reproduce, grow, and die at a constant rate. Mutations in the DNA alter the fundamental life cycle of cervical cells, which accumulate over time to form the cancerous tumor. Cervical cancer causes the tumor to spread and metastasize in another body tissue or organ.

Cervical Cancer Risk Factor:

The most common risk factor for cervical cancer is exposure to certain notorious strains of Human Papillomavirus (HPV). This is the most common virus transmitted through sexual contact, but certain strains can cause genetic mutations in the DNA, increasing the risk of cervical cancer. Other strains of HPV can cause genital warts and other skin disorders, but in most people, the virus is eliminated without causing any problems. Cervical cancer risk factors that increase the likelihood of HPV infection include:

• Infection with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which causes AIDS, eventually weakens the immune system, allowing HPV infection.
• Smoking
• Have had three or more children
• Multiple sexual partners and unprotected sexual encounters
• From a young age, there is sexual contact.
• Other Sexually Transmitted Infections such as Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Syphilis
• Miscarriage-prevention drug exposure

Cervical Cancer Treatment:

Precancerous cells are frequently discovered before cancer develops. These are treated differently than invasive cancer cells.

Precancerous lesions

Several factors will influence treatment. These factors include severity, age, general health, future desire to become pregnant, and preference. Cryosurgery (freezing), cauterization (burning), and laser surgery are all options. These procedures destroy the abnormal cells while sparing nearby healthy tissue.

Invasive cervical cancer

This indicates that cancer has spread from the cervix's surface. It has the potential to spread to deeper cervix tissue or to other parts of the body. Treatment options are determined by the size of the tumor and the extent to which cancer has spread. They may also be affected by your future plans to have children. 

The following are the most common treatments:

• Surgery entails the removal of cancerous tissue.
• Radiation —High-energy rays, such as X-rays, can shrink or kill cancerous cells.
• Chemotherapy — Strong medicines, taken orally or injected into veins, shrink or kill cancer.

Invasive cancer treatment frequently entails a multidisciplinary team of specialists. This could include your primary care physician, a gynecologist, and an oncologist (cervical cancer specialist).