In a woman’s body, the cervix is the part of the uterus (or womb) that connects to the vagina. Sometimes, cells in the lining of the cervix begin to grow in abnormal ways. This precancerous condition is called dysplasia, and it can go away without treatment for some women. However, dysplasia may need to be treated to keep from developing into cancer. Cervical cancer develops when abnormal cells in the lining of the cervix begin to grow out of control, and when these abnormal cells later invade other parts of the body, it is called metastasis.
Abnormal cervical cells sometimes form benign (noncancerous) tumors; they do not spread and are usually not harmful. Malignant (cancerous) tumors, however, spread from their sources and can grow into life-threatening cancers.
Types of Cervical Cancer
There are two main types of cancer of the cervix. About 80 to 90 percent are squamous cell carcinomas. The other 10 to 20 percent are adenocarcinomas. If the cancer has features of both types it is called mixed carcinoma.
In 2005, 493,000 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer worldwide and 260,000 died of the disease. 1
In 2006, in the
Cervical cancer is caused by genital human papillomavirus (HPV), a common sexually transmitted infection (6.2 million new cases each year).3
73 percent of women diagnosed with cervical cancer will survive at least five years; that number jumps to 92 percent when it is diagnosed in its early stages.2
Between 1955 and 1992, the number of cervical cancer deaths in the
A woman can prevent most pre-cancer and cancer of the cervix by:
Avoiding exposure to HPV: postponing sexual intercourse until she is older, limiting her number of sex partners and avoiding sex with people who have had many other sex partners. HPV does not always cause warts or other visible symptom, and it can be passed on unknowingly by someone who has HPV to sex partners.
Don’t use tobacco in any form. Tobacco use may increase the risk of cervical cancer in women exposed to HPV by slowing the body's efforts to rid itself of infection.
Having routine tests to detect pre-cancerous tissue. These include a Pap test. A Pap test can detect cervical cancer itself and also precancerous tissue that could develop into cervical cancer. Treatment can stop the cancer before it is fullydeveloped. Most invasive cervical cancers are found in women who have not had regular Pap tests.
Consider getting the HPV vaccine for girls and women. The Centers for Disease Control’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends routine vaccination for girls and women age 11 to 26. The current vaccine can prevent up to 70 percent of cervical cancer cases.
While all women are at risk, some are at greater risk for developing cervical cancer. Factors that increase the risk of cervical cancer include:
Being infected with human papillomavirus (HPV): HPV is a group of more than 100 related viruses that are spread from an infected person to his or her sex partner. HPV can cause warts on some parts of the body. Certain types of HPV can cause cancer of the cervix.
Being infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV): The virus that causes AIDS weakens the immune system and makes a person less able to fight early cancers. Although condoms do not protect against HPV, they do protect against HIV and other sexually transmitted germs.
Smoking: Smoking can stimulate body chemicals that can create cancer-causing mutations in the DNA of cervical cells. Women who use tobacco products are twice as likely to develop cervical cancer as non-smoking women.
Being uninsured: Women who are uninsured often cannot afford to have regular Pap tests to detect precancerous changes in tissue.
Eating a diet low in fruits and vegetables: Some scientific studies suggest that plant foods may help protect against developing cancer. A low-fat diet can help women maintain a healthy weight – being obese increases women’s risk of cervical cancer.
Birth control pills: Long-term use of birth control pills increases the risk of cervical cancer. Some studies show a higher risk after five or more years of use. Women should talk with their doctors about the pros and cons of birth control pills based on their medical history and lifestyle.
Family history: Women whose mothers or sisters have had cervical cancer are more likely to develop the disease themselves.
In addition, several ethnic groups are more likely to die of cervical cancer. African American, Hispanic and Native American women have higher cervical cancer death rates than White women, probably because of disproportionate screening practices.
Pre-cancerous conditions in the cervix usually cause no symptoms and are not detected unless a woman has a pelvic exam and Pap test. Symptoms usually appear when the cancer is further along. These symptoms should be reported to a doctor right away:
- Increased or unusual discharge from the vagina (not a normal period)
- Blood spots or light bleeding not part of a normal period
- Bleeding or pain during sex
- Post-menopausal bleeding (bleeding after a woman has stopped having her period)
- Menstrual bleeding that lasts longer and is heavier than usual
Regardless of a woman’s age, she should see her doctor immediately if she has any of these symptoms.
The Pap test (or Pap smear) is an effective tool for the early detection of cervical cancer, and its effectiveness depends on having regular testing. A Pap test can detect pre-cancerous tissue and early cervical cancer, which can be treated more successfully. Because of the widespread use of the Pap test in the
It is recommended that women have yearly Pap tests starting three years after they become sexually active but no later than 21 years of age. At age 30, women who have had normal Pap results for three years in a row may decide with their doctors to have the test every two to three years instead. Speak with your health care professional to assess your risk and determine how frequently you need to be screened.
Women age 70 years and older who have had at least three normal Pap tests may choose to stop cervical cancer screening, as advised by their health care professional. Women who have undergone a total hysterectomy with removal of the cervix need not have Pap tests.
- Cervical cancer is treated through
- surgery
- radiation therapy
- chemotherapy
The type of treatment depends on the stage of the cancer, the types of cells and your age and physical condition. Cervical cancer is staged or categorized from Stage 0 (carcinoma in situ), which has not spread beyond the cervix, to Stage IVB, in which the cancer has spread to distant organs. The earlier that cervical cancer is diagnosed the better.
World Health Organization, Comprehensive Cervical Cancer Control: A Guide to Essential Practice, 2006.
American Cancer Society, Detailed Guide: Cervical Cancer, October 2005.
American Social Health Association, Why do we need HPV/Cervical Cancer Vaccines? June 2006.
No comments:
Post a Comment