Cervical cancer is an increasingly common form of cancer that affects people all over the world. It is estimated that in 2020, there were 570,000 new cases of cervical cancer and 311,000 deaths from the disease. Cervical cancer occurs when abnormal cells on the surface of the cervix grow out of control and invade other parts of the body. The main cause of cervical cancer is infection with certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a sexually transmitted virus that can be passed through sexual contact.
There are several risk factors for developing cervical cancer, including age, smoking, multiple sexual partners, and having a weakened immune system due to HIV or other conditions. Women who are between the ages of 30 and 45 are at an increased risk for developing cervical cancer because they are more likely to have had multiple sexual partners or to have contracted HPV at an earlier age. In addition, women who smoke cigarettes are two times more likely to develop cervical cancer than non-smokers.
The most common symptom of cervical cancer is abnormal vaginal bleeding between menstrual periods or after menopause. Other symptoms include pain during intercourse, pelvic pain and pressure, unusual discharge from the vagina, and urinary problems such as increased frequency or urgency. If any of these symptoms occur it is important to see a doctor right away as early detection can help improve treatment options and outcomes.
Treatment for cervical cancer depends on several factors such as stage and type of tumor. Surgery may be used to remove tumors from the cervix while radiation therapy may be used to destroy remaining tumor cells in the area. Additionally chemotherapy may be used to target rapidly dividing cells in order to kill off any remaining tumor cells in other areas of the body that surgery or radiation cannot reach.
In order to prevent cervical cancer it is important to get regular Pap tests which can detect precancerous changes in cells before they become malignant tumors. In addition it is important for sexually active individuals to get vaccinated against HPV which can reduce your risk for getting infected with this virus which can lead to cervical cancer later in life. Finally it is important for individuals who smoke cigarettes or use other forms of tobacco products to quit as this can reduce their risk for developing this disease significantly.
Cervical cancer can be a devastating diagnosis but with early detection and proper treatment options it is possible for individuals affected by this disease to have positive outcomes with minimal side effects from treatments such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy . It is important for individuals who are at higher risk due to age , lifestyle choices ,or family history ,to take extra precautions such as getting regular Pap tests ,getting vaccinated against HPV ,and quitting smoking if necessary . By taking these steps we can work together towards reducing our chances of developing this potentially deadly form of cancer .