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CERVICAL
CANCER
Definition
The cervix is the opening between the vagina and the uterus.
Cancer of the cervix is a malignant tumor on the cervix. Pre-cancerous
changes in the cells on the top layer of the cervix are an
early sign that cervical cancer may develop.
What is going on in the body?
Cervical cancer is third most common cancer of the reproductive
system that strikes women in the US.
Even though the cervix is located within a woman's vagina,
its cells act very much like skin cells. These cells are exposed
to toxins, viruses, and bacteria that may cause abnormal changes
called cervical dysplasia.
Each stage of dysplasia is judged by the thickness of the
layer of abnormal cells. The earliest change that can be seen
with a microscope is called mild dysplasia. If not treated,
these precancerous changes may become moderate and then severe.
The fourth, most severe stage of dysplasia is called carcinoma
in situ. After this occurs, cancer cells may invade deeper
layers of the cervix or spread to nearby sites. At that point,
a woman has what is called invasive cervical cancer.
What are the signs and symptoms of the
disease?
Cervical cancer that is found early usually causes no symptoms.
This is why an annual Pap smear
is so important. Pap smears and pelvic exams can catch cancer
in the early stages or can find precancerous changes of the
cervix.
Some early warning signs are:
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bleeding
or spotting between periods
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bleeding
or spotting after intercourse |
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vaginal
discharge that is cloudy, bloody, or full of mucus
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Whether or not she has entered menopause, a woman should
have her healthcare provider evaluate any vaginal bleeding
at unexpected times or any bloodstained vaginal discharge.
Symptoms of more advanced cervical cancer include:
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loss
of appetite
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weight
loss
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fatigue
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back
pain
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leg
pain
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inability
to control urine or bowel movements
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What are the causes and risks of the disease?
Cervical cancer is believed to be caused by the prescence
of one or more strains of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).
Certain health problems, lifestyle choices, and other factors
may increase a woman's risk for developing cervical cancer.
These include:
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Exposure
to the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Women who have
certain types of HPV, including type 16, 18, 31, 33, 35,
have a very high lifetime risk of getting cancer of the
cervix or vulva, the outer part of the vagina. HPV is
contracted through sexual intercourse or it may be passed
from mother to newborn. It is estimated that over 80 percent
of women today have one form of HPV. |
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Having
multiple sex partners. |
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Becoming
sexually active at an early age, before the age of 18.
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Poor
nutrition and other infections can also be a risk factor.
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Having
other sexually transmitted diseases.
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Having
an abnormal Pap smear.
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Having
had cancer of the vagina or vulva
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Having
a sexual partner who has or had cancer of the penis
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Smoking
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Having
a weakened immune system due to other infections and diseases.
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Being
the daughter of a woman who took DES (diethylstibestrol)
during pregnancy
What can be done to prevent the disease?
Women should have annual Pap smears and pelvic exams.
Women should start to have Pap smears and pelvic exams
when they reach the age of 16 or as soon as they become
sexually active. A woman can lower her risk for getting
cervical cancer by:
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Having
an annual Pap Smear
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quitting
smoking |
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waiting
to have intercourse until age 18 to 20
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having
only a few sexual partners in a lifetime
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using
latex condoms and practicing safer sex with each sexual
encounter
How is the disease diagnosed?
Cervical cancer is usually found during a routine Pap
smear. The health care provider uses a small brush
to scrape cells from a woman's cervix and vagina. These
cells are placed on a slide and sent to a laboratory.
At the lab the cells are stained and then a special
technician called a Cytotechnologist examined the cells
through a microscope looking for any abnormal cells.
If abnormalities are found, the Pap smear may be repeated
in 3 months or the healthcare provider may choose
to do a colposcopy. A colposcope is a special microscope
that allows the healthcare provider to closely examine
the cervix, vagina, and vulva. If an abnormality is
seen, a cervical biopsy may be taken. A biopsy would
involve removing a larger sample of cells from the area
for microscopic study.
What are the long-term effects?
If abnormal cells are found early and treated, it may
be possible to avoid removing the uterus so that a woman
can still have children. Unfortunately, once cervical
cancer occurs, more aggressive measures may be needed.
If the cancer is found and treated early, there is an
excellent chance of cure. If left untreated, it will
spread to nearby organs and possibly the rest of the
body.
What are the treatments?
A cone biopsy, where a portion of the center of the
cervix is removed, or hysterectomy, in which the entire
uterus is removed, may be done when cervical cancer
is caught early. Cancer is more likely to come back
in a woman treated with cone biopsy . If the cancer
has invaded deeper layers of the cervix and has spread
to the uterus, the treatments include the following:
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Modified
radical hysterectomy. During this type of surgery, the
uterus, cervix, upper vagina, and surrounding tissue is
removed. Depending on the extent of the cancer and a woman's
age, the ovaries may be left in place.
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Radiation
therapy is sometimes used before or after surgery to shrink
the tumor cells further.
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Sometimes
a woman isn't a good candidate for surgery, because of
her age or other medical conditions. In this case, radiation
therapy may be used alone or with chemotherapy.
What happens after treatment?
Curing cervical cancer depends on many factors, such
as:
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the
woman's overall health
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the
woman's age when she was first diagnosed
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the
type and growth of specific cancer cells
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how
far the disease has spread
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the
skill of the surgeon
THE BEST WAY TO CATCH CERVICAL CANCER
EARLY IS TO HAVE AN ANNUAL PAP
SMEAR
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Canadian
Medical Brush Inc.
2403 Postmaster Drive,
Oakville, Ontario L6M 0J2
Canada
Tel: (416) 803-2482  Fax: (905) 465-9101
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