Cervical and Uterine Cancer - Risk Factor, Symptoms and Treatment

What is cervical cancer?

The lower part of the womb is referred to as the cervix. It is also called as the uterine cervix.  The baby grows in the upper part of the uterus and the cervix connects the uterus to the birth canal. There are two types of cells that cover the cervix and they are squamous cells and the other is the glandular cells. Cervical cancers start at the meeting point of these two cells.

Cancer related deaths due to cervical cancer was more common previously but due to the spread of awareness and education a large section of women undergo PAP smear tests and this has proved to be important to prevent cervical cancer thus there is a steady decline in the death rate.

What are the risk factors that are related to cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer is known to affect:

1. women who are in their late fifties and early sixties.
2. Cervical cancer is caused due to infertility.
3. Failure to ovulate is yet another reason for cervical cancer.
4. Prolonged menopause.
5. Obesity is a major reason.
6. Use of estrogen therapy even after menopause where estrogen therapy is administered to women with osteoporosis.
7. Abnormal bleeding in the uterus.

Who stand at a risk of developing cervical cancer?

1. Women belonging to the lower strata of income group or economically low group.
2. HPV or infection due to sexual contact.
3. Those who have indulged in sexual activities very early on in life.
4. Sexual activities with multiple partners.

What are the signs and symptoms of cervical cancer?

If there is persistent bleeding for more than half a year after the onset of menopause can lead to cervical cancer. Post-coital bleeding can also lead to an early diagnosis of cervical cancer.

Regular PAP smear tests are important to detect cervical cancer. This is a painless test wherein the cervical surface is brushed off with a wooden spatula and the cell specimen is sent for analysis to find the presence of cancer cells.

What is the mode of treatment?

Cervical cancer can be detected by a PAP smear test and any abnormality indicated in this test is termed as carcinoma in situ. Under such conditions the affected tissues are removed by laser or cryosurgery or electrocautery. In some cases radiation therapy is suggested to destroy any abnormal cells present and prevent the spread of cancer to other parts of the body. In some cases the removal of the uterus is also suggested. Following a nutritious diet is important for preventing as well as fighting cervical cancer.

Uterine cancer can be treated with the removal of the uterus as well as the fallopian tubes; in some cases the ovaries are also removed. Chemotherapy is administered after surgery and in some cases a combination therapy is used as a mode of treatment and  if diagnosis is made at the initial stage of uterus cancer then the survival rate is nearly five years after the removal of the uterus.