Cervical cancer is caused by the growth of abnormal cells in the cervix in abnormal quantities. The cervix (cervix) is the lower part of the uterus (uterus) that connects the uterus to the vagina (vagina).
Early detection of cervical cancer will ensure complete cure in most cases.
Symptoms of cervical cancer
Unusual changes in cervical cells lead to symptoms only in rare cases, but if these changes develop into cervical cancer, symptoms of cervical cancer may appear, the most prominent of which are:
Unusual bleeding from the vagina or an unexplainable change in your menstrual cycle.
Bleeding resulting, for example, from touching the cervix during intercourse or from inserting the female diaphragm to prevent pregnancy.
Feeling pain during sex.
Blood-stained vaginal discharge.
Causes and risk factors of cervical cancer
Most cases of cervical cancer are caused by a virus called papillomavirus (HPV – papillomavirus).
Infection with this virus is transmitted during sexual contact with a person carrying this virus. There are many types of papillomavirus, and not all of them cause cervical cancer. Some cause warts (warts) to appear on the genitals, while others cause no signs or symptoms. For cervical cancer.
Risk factors
Factors that increase the risk of cervical cancer include:
Smoking.
Weak immune system.
I have been taking birth control for over 5 years.
You have more than 5 children.
Complications of cervical cancer
Complications of cervical cancer include:
Kidney failure.
Blood clot or thrombus.
hemorrhage.
fistula.
Diagnosis of cervical cancer
If cervical cancer is suspected, the doctor asks the sick woman a number of questions regarding her family medical history and then performs a physical examination. The doctor may need to do more tests, including:
- Cervical screening examination
This is a routine test to detect any abnormal changes in cervical cells and cervical cancer.
This examination is performed routinely, because it is a very simple procedure, in addition to being the only method available to detect and treat changes in cervical cells before they occur. It develops into cervical cancer.
- Colposcopy and cervical tissue biopsy
Colposcopy and cervical tissue biopsy can be performed on a pregnant woman to confirm the diagnosis of cervical cancer, confirm the presence of cancer cells on the outer surface of the cervical mucosa, and determine their location. - Biopsy of the cervical mucosa (curettage)
To detect the presence of cancer cells in the cervical canal of the uterus. - Cone biopsy
Or tissue excision using a wire electrode (LEEP). Using these methods, a sample of cervical tissue is taken for microscopic examination.
Cervical cancer treatment
When cervical cancer is detected at an early stage, the chances of cure are high and if it is discovered at a very early stage, there is a possibility that the patient will become pregnant and give birth to children after the end of the treatment period.
In most later stages, treatment for cervical cancer involves removing cancerous cells, resulting in the inability to have children later.
The therapeutic methods used are the following:
Hysterectomy, removal of lymph nodes in the pelvic area. It may be necessary to remove both the ovaries and fallopian tubes.
Radiotherapy.
Chemotherapy.
The amount of treatment required is determined based on the amount of cancer cells that have grown, and there is also the possibility of combining several treatment methods.
Radiotherapy is the typical treatment method for certain stages of cervical cancer, and radiotherapy is often combined with surgical treatment. Radiation therapy involves using powerful radiation waves to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.
Radiation can come from a machine outside the body or from a radioactive substance (radioisotope) inserted through the vagina into the area of the cervix, where the cancer cells are, using small soft plastic tubes (brachytherapy).
Cervical cancer prevention
The best way to prevent sexually transmitted diseases is to:
Abstaining from sexual relations.
Make sure sex is safe by using a condom.
