CERVICAL CANCER

Topics To Be Discussed

Symptoms

Causes

What is cervical cancer

Treatment Detection

HPV Vaccination

What Is Cervical Cancer ?

Cervical cancer occurs when abnormal cells develop and spread in the cervix, the lower part of the uterus.Unique fact about cervical cancer is that most cases are triggered by a type of virus. When found early, cervical cancer is highly curable.

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SymptomsAbnormal cervical cell changes rarely cause symptoms. If cervical cell changes progress to cancer, symptoms may include:

•Vaginal bleeding that isn't normal, such as between menstrual periods, after sex, or after menopause.•Pain during sex.•Vaginal discharge that isn't normal.•A significant unexplained change in your menstrual cycle.

The symptoms of advanced cervical cancer may include:

•Anemia because of abnormal vaginal bleeding.•Ongoing pelvic, leg, or back pain.•Urinary problems because of blockage of a kidney or ureter.•Leakage of urine or stool into the vagina. This can happen when an abnormal opening (fistula) has developed between the vagina and the bladder or rectum.•Weight loss.

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Factors

• The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a large group of viruses. About 40 types can infect the genital areas, and some have high risk for cervical cancer. Genital HPV infections usually clear up on their own. If one becomes chronic, it can cause changes in the cells of the cervix. And it's these changes that may lead to cancer. Worldwide, over 90% of cervical cancers are caused by an HPV infection.

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How HPV Causes Cervical Cancer?

If one of the high-risk strains of HPV lingers in the body, it can cause abnormal cells to develop in the cervix. These precancerous changes do not mean that you have cervical cancer. But over time, the abnormal cells may give way to cancer cells. Once cancer appears, it tends to spread in the cervix and surrounding areas.

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Detection

Early Detection Diagnostic Test

Pap-Test HPV DNA Test

Early Detection-Pap Test

• The Pap test is a routine screening test used to find abnormal cell changes of the cervix and to screen for cervical cancer.

• Regular Pap test screening is the most important tool in finding and treating cervical cell changes before they progress to cervical cancer.

• The recommended Pap test schedule is based on your age and things that increase your risk. Talk to your doctor about how often to have this test.

• When your doctor says that your Pap test, or Pap smear, was abnormal, it means that the test found some cells on your cervix that do not look normal.

• A Pap test may be done as part of a woman's routine physical exam, because it's the best way to prevent cervical cancer. But having an abnormal test result doesn't mean you have cancer. In fact, the chances that you have cancer are very small

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Early Detection-HPV DNA Test

In some cases, doctors may offer the option of the HPV DNA test in addition to a Pap test. This test checks for the presence of high-risk forms of HPV. It may be used in combination with a Pap test to screen for cervical cancer in women over 30. It may also be recommended for a woman of any age after an abnormal Pap test result.

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Diagnostic Test

If cervical cancer is suspected, your doctor will ask about your medical history and do a physical exam, including a pelvic exam and a Pap test. Tests to confirm a diagnosis of cervical cancer include:

• A colposcopy and cervical biopsy. This test can find out whether and where cancer cells are on the surface of the cervix.

• An endocervical biopsy (or curettage). This test is to find out whether cancer cells are in the cervical canal.

• A cone biopsy or loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP). These tests are sometimes recommended to remove cervical tissue for examination under a microscope.

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TreatmentCervical cancer found in its early stages can be successfully treated. The choice of treatment and the long-term outcome (prognosis) of cervical cancer depend on the type and stage of cancer. Your age, overall health, quality of life, and desire to be able to have children must also be considered.

Types of treatment:• Treatment choices for cervical cancer may be a single therapy or a combination of therapies, such

as:• Surgery to remove the cancer. The type of surgery needed depends on the location and extent of

cervical cancer and whether you want to have children.• Radiation therapy , which uses high-dose X-rays or implants in the vaginal cavity to kill cancer cells.

It is used for certain stages of cervical cancer. It is often used in combination with surgery. Chemoradiation, which is a combination of chemotherapy and radiation. This is often used to treat both early-stage and late-stage cervical cancer.

• Chemotherapy , which uses medicines to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be used to treat advanced cervical cancer.

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HPV VaccinationHPV vaccines are given as a series of three shots over 6 months to protect against HPV infection and the health problems that HPV infection can cause. There are three HPV vaccines (Cervarix, Gardasil, and Gardasil 9). Girls and young women should get any of these HPV vaccines to prevent cervical cancer.Two of the HPV vaccines (Gardasil and Gardasil 9) also protect against genital warts and anal cancer in both females and males. Boys should get one of these HPV vaccines to prevent anal cancer and genital warts. Girls can get either of these vaccines to prevent cervical cancer, vulvar cancer, vaginal cancer, anal cancer and genital warts.

HPV vaccines offer the best protection to girls and boys who receive all three vaccine doses and have time to develop an immune response before being sexually active with another person. That's why HPV vaccination is recommended for preteen girls and boys at age 11 or 12 years.

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