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As with most
cancers, cervical cancer causes no pain or other symptoms in its early stages. The first
identifiable symptoms of the disease are likely to include:
watery or bloody vaginal
discharge.
vaginal bleeding after
intercourse, between menstrual periods, or after menopause; periods may be heavier and last longer than
normal.
If the cancer has spread
symptoms may include:
difficult and painful
urination and possible kidney failure.
blood in urine.
dull backache or swelling
in the legs.
diarrhoea, or pain or
bleeding from the rectum upon defecation.
fatigue, loss of weight
and appetite, and general feeling of illness.
The cervix is the neck of a
woman's womb. In some women, healthy cells enter an abnormal phase called dysplasia;
although these cells are not cancerous, they can become so. When dysplastic cells turn
malignant some may invade the lining of the cervix itself, spread to nearby tissue, and
enter the bloodstream or lymphatic system.
It usually takes many years
for dysplasia to become carcinoma, and from there it often takes months or sometimes even
years for cervical cancer to become invasive. Because of this long time factor, and also
because of the Pap smear, cervical cancer is becoming less threatening. When
caught early, it is curable.
Causes
Many cases of cervical
cancer are linked to sexually transmitted
viral infections, such as genital herpes and some strands of the human papilloma
viruses (HPV) that often cause genital warts.
But these are not always
indicative of the likelihood of developing these types of cancers as many women who have a
sexually transmitted viral infection do not develop cervical cancer, while others who get
cancer have never had such infections.
Slightly more at risk are
women who began having sexual intercourse before age 18, have had many sexual partners,
have had several full-term pregnancies, or have a history of sexually transmitted disease.
Genetics can also play a role in the development of cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer is also
more common among women who smoke. Women with weaker immune systems, caused by other
diseases, by treatments, or by organ transplants are more vulnerable to cervical cancer.
Women who are obese or who use birth-control pills may be at slightly increased risk.
Every woman should have an
annual Pap smear, which tests a cervical cell sample for abnormalities. This screening
test can usually detect abnormal cells 95 percent of the time, often long before the
disease produces symptoms.
If your Pap smear is
abnormal your doctor will advise on the next steps and may also refer you to a specialist
for treatments.
Traditional Treatments
Most cases of cervical
cancer are cured by a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. (See
Cancer for more information on therapies).
Women with genital warts
and mild dysplasia should be carefully monitored for signs of cancer but usually require
no immediate treatment. You should continue to have pap smears every 6 months to ensure
the condition does not worsen. Severe dysplasia, and mildly invasive cancers are normally
treated surgically.
If cancer has spread deep
into the cervix or to organs close by, hysterectomy (removal of the cervix, uterus, and
possibly other organs) is imperative. If cancer spreads beyond the pelvic area, radiation
therapy and perhaps chemotherapy suppress the spread but rarely result in cure. It is
important to have regular check ups if you have had cervical cancer or severe dysplasia.
Complementary Therapies
Research is currently being
done in the field of nutrition and diet. Some evidence suggests that folic acid and beta
carotene help eliminate pre-cancerous and cancerous conditions of the cervix. Patients
with these conditions may benefit from supplements of vitamin
B6. Ask your doctor about other dietary recommendations or nutritional supplements.
Prevention
If you are a woman over
age 18, or are under 18 and sexually active, have a pelvic exam and Pap smear yearly.
Speak with your doctor
about the benefits of different types of contraception - some may be less of a risk than
others with relation to cervical cancer.
When to seek further
professional advice
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