Cervical Cancer, Screening, and Prevention

 In this article, we are going to discuss cervical, Screening and prevention.

What is Cancer?

Cancer is a disease in which some of the body’s cells grow uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body.  

Cancer is always named for the part of the body where it starts, even if it spreads to other body parts later. 

You can also say cancer is a disease in which cells in the body grow out of control. Cancer is always named for the part of the body where it starts, even if it spreads to other body parts later. 

Cancer can start almost anywhere in the human body, which is made up of trillions of cells. Normally, human cells grow and multiply (through a process called cell division) to form new cells as the body needs them. 

When cells grow old or become damaged, they die, and new cells take their place.

Sometimes this orderly process breaks down, and abnormal or damaged cells grow and multiply when they shouldn’t. These cells may form tumors, which are lumps of tissue. 

Tumors can be cancerous or not cancerous (benign). 

What is Cervix?

The cervix is a cylinder-shaped neck of tissue that connects the vagina and uterus. Located at the lowermost portion of the uterus, the cervix is composed primarily of fibromuscular tissue.

What is Cervical Cancer?

When cancer starts in the cervix, it is called cervical cancer. The cervix connects the vagina (birth canal) to the upper part of the uterus. The uterus (or womb) is where a baby grows when a woman is pregnant.

Various strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection, play a role in causing most cervical cancer.

When exposed to HPV, the body's immune system typically prevents the virus from doing harm. In a small percentage of people, however, the virus survives for years, contributing to the process that causes some cervical cells to become cancer cells.

Symptoms of Cervical Cancer

Early-stage cervical cancer generally produces no signs or symptoms.

Signs and symptoms of more-advanced cervical cancer include:

• Vaginal bleeding after intercourse, between periods, or after menopause

• Watery, bloody vaginal discharge that may be heavy and have a foul odor.

• Pelvic pain or pain during intercourse

Causes of Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer begins when healthy cells in the cervix develop changes (mutations) in their DNA. A cell's DNA contains the instructions that tell a cell what to do.

Healthy cells grow and multiply at a set rate, eventually dying at a set time. The mutations tell the cells to grow and multiply out of control, and they don't die. 

The accumulating abnormal cells form a mass (tumor). Cancer cells invade nearby tissues and can break off from a tumor to spread (metastasize) elsewhere in the body.

It isn't clear what causes cervical cancer, but HPV certainly plays a role. HPV is very common, and most people with the virus never develop cancer. 

This means other factors such as your environment or your lifestyle choices also determine whether you'll develop cervical cancer.

Risk Factors of Cervical Cancer

• Multiple sexual partners. The greater your number of sexual partners and the greater your partner's number of sexual partners the greater your chance of acquiring HPV.

• Early sexual activity. Having sex at an early age increases your risk of HPV.

• Other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Having other STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV/AIDS increases your risk of HPV.

• A weakened immune system. You may be more likely to develop cervical cancer if your immune system is weakened by another health condition and you have HPV.

• Smoking. Smoking is associated with squamous cell cervical cancer.

• Exposure to miscarriage-prevention drugs. If your mother took a drug called diethylstilbestrol (DES) while pregnant in the 1950s, you may have an increased risk of a certain type of cervical cancer called clear cell adenocarcinoma.

Prevention

• Avoid multiple sexual partners.

• Quit smoking.

• Minimise intake of oral contraceptives

• Protect yourself against or proper treatment of sexually transmitted infections.

You can reduce your risk of developing cervical cancer by having screening tests and receiving a vaccine that protects against HPV infection.

To reduce your risk of cervical cancer:

• Ask your doctor about the HPV vaccine. Receiving a vaccination to prevent HPV infection may reduce your risk of cervical cancer and other HPV-related cancers. Ask your doctor whether an HPV vaccine is appropriate for you.

• Have routine Pap tests. Pap tests can detect precancerous conditions of the cervix, so they can be monitored or treated to prevent cervical cancer. Most medical organizations suggest beginning routine Pap tests at age 21 and repeating them every few years.

• Practice safe sex. Reduce your risk of cervical cancer by taking measures to prevent sexually transmitted infections, such as using a condom every time you have sex and limiting the number of sexual partners you have.

• Don't smoke. If you don't smoke, don't start. If you do smoke, talk to your doctor about strategies to help you quit.

Screening Tests for Cervical Cancer

The best way to find cervical cancer early is to have regular screening tests. Regular screening has been shown to prevent cervical cancers and save lives. 

Early detection greatly improves the chances of successful treatment and can prevent any early cervical cell changes from becoming cancer. 

Being alert to any signs and symptoms of cervical cancer can also help avoid unnecessary delays in diagnosis.

The tests for cervical cancer screening are.

• Pap Smear Test

• HPV Testing

• Liquid-Based Cytology

• Conventional Cytology

• Co-Testing

These tests can be done alone or at the same time (called a co-test) and are done during a pelvic exam. 

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