Women’s Health

Healthy Living
CERVICAL CANCER
Women’s Health



There are two main types of cervical cancers: cell carcinoma and adencarcinoma. About 80 per cent to 90 per cent of cervical cancers are squamous cell carcinomas; the remaining 10 per cent to 20 per cent of cervical cancers are adenocarcinomas.

Early cervical cancer, usually does not produce symptoms. In women who receive regular screening, the first sign of the disease is usually an abnormal Pap test result. Vaginal bleeding, contact bleeding or (rarely) a vaginal mass are some of the signs. Moderate pain during sexual intercourse and vaginal discharge are some of the other symptoms of cervical cancer.

In the advanced stage, metastases, the spread of cancer from its primary site to other places in the body, may be present in the abdomen, lungs or elsewhere. Loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue, pelvic pain, back pain, leg pain, single swollen leg, heavy bleeding from the vagina, leaking of urine or faeces from the vagina, and bone fractures are some other possible symptoms.

The exact cause of cervical cancer is unknown. The primary factors causing cervical cancer are several types of a virus called Human Papillomaviruses (HPV). The virus spreads through sexual contact. Having multiple sexual partners or having sex with a promiscuous partner, history of sexually transmitted disease (STD) and sexual intercourse at a young age are some of its causes. Most women’s bodies are able to fight HPV infection, but sometimes the virus leads to cancer.

Different types of treatment are available for patients with cervical cancer. Some treatments are standard (the currently used treatment), and some are being tested in clinical trials. Three types of standard treatment are used:

Surgery: In this, the cancer is removed through surgical operations using techniques such as conization, total hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, radical hysterectomy, pelvic exenteration, cryosurgery, laser surgery and loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP).

Radiation therapy: This treatment uses high-energy x-rays or other types of radiations to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing. External radiation and internal radiation are two types of radiation therapy.

Chemotherapy: This treatment uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. When chemotherapy is taken by mouth or injected into a vein or muscle, the drugs enter the bloodstream and can reach cancer cells throughout the body (systemic chemotherapy). When chemotherapy is placed directly into the spinal column, an organ, or a body cavity such as the abdomen, the drugs mainly affect cancer cells in those areas (regional chemotherapy).

Proper vaccinations can protect girls and women from the four types of HPV that cause most cervical cancers. Shunning temptations such as smoking, multiple sexual partners, sexual intercourse at a young age, etc. can help prevent this bizarre disease. After all, prevention is better than cure!