A woman’s reproductive system (The vagina, ovaries, labia, and cervix) has an extremely essential role to play. It helps in a lot of ways to make her function her entire body properly.
It is a part of creation, responsible for carrying the baby in the womb, and while doing so it helps in creating the hormones for pregnancy. Before the reproductive system enters the pregnancy zone, it is responsible for bleeding (or menstruating).
The cervix out of all the other reproductive organs is located at the neck of the uterus (A pear-shaped organ that plays a critical role in menstruation, fertility, and pregnancy), and the end of the vaginal canal. It isn’t very large. Not more than 3 – 5 cm and 2 -3 cm. But this little organ has many important functions to perform.
When a woman’s body does not carry a child, the cervix keeps it healthy. It may change its colour and shape during the menstrual and life cycle. But during pregnancy, the cervix keeps the baby in position until fully developed.
Since the cervix is doing so much during as well as before reproduction, it is important to keep it healthy and free of challenges. As, in these days and ages, cancer is surely a rising concern, and cervical cancer is more so.
In Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, 2024, this article will give you a comprehensive view of cervical cancer.
Through this article, we are sure, all these women would be able to take care of the cervix before the cancer–causing infections to impact them.
What is Cervical Cancer?
The cervix, which is the lower and narrow end of the uterus (womb) connects the vagina (birth canal) and the uterus (the upper part where a foetus grows), has two main cells:
- The squamous cells
- The glandular cells
The doctor often sees these cells through gynaecological tests to check the existence of cervical cancer. These two cells meet in the squamocolumnar junction (also known transformation zone). The precancerous changes of cervical cancer happen here.
The cancer impacts the deep tissues of the cells lining the cervix. But the problem starts when the cervical cells start multiplying.
These are abnormal cells seen in the cervical tissue. They grow gradually and take a precancerous position. If these cells are not removed over time, they become cancerous. They multiply and reach the last stage, within a year.
According to WHO, around 90% of women (that is about 342000 deaths) suffer from cervical cancer worldwide. According to GLOBOCAN 2020, in India, cervical cancer is the 3rd most common cancer (6 – 29% of Indian women suffer from cervical cancer), and that is the second leading cause of death.
Early detection with effective treatment is the key to prevention of cervical cancer.
Does Cervical Cancer Have Early Warning Signs?
To check for the signs of cervical cancer Pap smear and HPV test will be conducted to check for the signs of cervical cancer. While the Pap test aims to detect cell changes to indicate the development of cancer, HPV or human papillomavirus test detects cancer-causing viruses like HIV and HSV (herpes).
Early Signs of Cervical Cancer
However, the early signs of cancer are hard to detect. But if some symptoms are found out she’ll be bleeding vaginally or going through pain in the pelvic region after a sexual activity. She’ll be bleeding heavily during periods.
Signs of Mature Cervical Cancer
But, when the cancer reaches a mature stage, a few uncomfortable signs of cervical cancer will be found. It is very difficult for her to pass stool. There might also be bleeding from the rectum during bowel movement. Painful urination or bloody urine is not uncommon. She’ll feel tired, swelling in the legs and pain in the abdomen too.
Ignoring these symptoms can delay the treatment.
What Causes Cervical Cancer?
Cervical cancer is mostly common in women between the ages of 35 and 44 years. Some 50-year-olds are also diagnosed with this condition. While 80% to 90% of cervical cancers are squamous cell carcinomas, 10% to 20% are adenocarcinomas. But what causes cervical cancer?
The below mention two are the prime causes of cervical cancer:
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection
Research from the experts of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that the persistent presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is responsible for more than 9 out of 10 cases of cervical cancer. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). There are different types of HPV. While some are not linked with cancer and are low-risk, there are around 14 types of high–risk HPVs that can give rise to 16 and 18 cervical cancers. Overall, the presence of HPV infection in the cervix is not that healthy, as there are no symptoms that will show the cancer developing. A woman can get HPV from:
- skin–to–skin contact of the genital area
- vaginal, anal, or oral sexual activity
- as well as by sharing sex toys
Taking Birth Control or Contraceptive Pills
The contraceptive pills are an effective method of preventing pregnancy. Such pills mostly change the oestrogen and progesterone hormones by changing the hormonal levels. Women who have had contraceptive pills for more than five years are at an increased risk of developing cervical cancer.
There are also other risk factors included:
- Being sexually active before the age of 18 years old, and having multiple sexual partners
- Having a family history of cervical cancer
- Active or passive smoking
- Being obese
Not all the factors are cervical cancer-related. However, some might be destined for cervical cancer.
What are the Ways to Treat Cervical Cancer?
Routine tests will ensure the signs of cervical cancer so that the treatment starts as early as possible. With a Pap Smear or HPV test healthcare practitioners become sure and alert about the early or advanced signs of cervical cancer. Apart from Pap and HPV tests, a woman would have to undergo cervical biopsy, and colposcopy to check the cancerous cells The treatment is decided based on the severity of it, as well as on the age, health, and stages of cancer.
Amidst the cancer treatment options, the doctors may advise:
- Surgery which would involve the removal of the cervix as well as the other organs of the pelvis. (Cryosurgery, laser, conization, pelvic tests, etc)
- Radiotherapy is conducted using high-energy X-ray beams. It is delivered from inside the body in the uterus or vagina.
- Chemotherapy kills cancer cells in the body.
- With chemo and radiotherapy, the growth of cervical cancer cells is blocked.
But, sadly enough, after the treatment, there might be a risk for those who are trying for a baby.
But, What If There is Cervical Cancer During Pregnancy?
It may be rare to get diagnosed with cancer during pregnancy, but it is not entirely impossible. 1% to 3% of pregnancies are diagnosed with cervical cancer. In pregnancy, most of the signs of cervical cancer are discovered at an early stage. If the signs are detected at an early stage, the pregnant woman might have to wait before the delivery of the baby. However, for an advanced stage of cancer during pregnancy, hysterectomy or radiation therapy is medically necessitated.
The therapies (chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy) don’t harm the baby-to-be in the first trimester. In the second trimester, however, the placenta forms a barrier to protect the baby. But, in the third trimester, the cancer therapies may harm the unborn baby indirectly.
However, the healthcare practitioners will try to deliver the baby preterm. Such that the baby can survive outside the womb.
So, women need to look after their cervical health before or during pregnancy, by limiting sexual activity and having safe sexual activity.
Taking care is essential before it’s too late!