What is Cervical cancer
Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the cells of the cervix — the lower part
of the uterus that connects to the vagina.
What causes cervical cancer
Various strains of the
human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection, play a
role in causing most cervical cancer.
When exposed to HPV, a woman's immune system typically prevents the virus from doing harm. In a small group
of women, however, the virus survives for years, contributing to the process that causes some cells on the
surface of the cervix to become cancer cells.
Treatment of Cervical Cancer
You can reduce your risk of developing cervical cancer by having screening tests and receiving a vaccine
that protects against
HPV infection.
Symptoms or early signs of cervicak cancer
In the early stages of cervical cancer, a person may experience no symptoms at all.
As a result, women should have regular cervical smear tests, or Pap tests.
A Pap test is preventive. It aims not to detect cancer but to reveal any cell changes that indicate the
possible development of cancer so that a person can take early action to treat it.
- Abnormal bleeding, such as
- Bleeding between regular menstrual periods
- Bleeding after sexual intercourse
- Bleeding after douching
- Bleeding after a pelvic exam
- Bleeding after menopause
- Pelvic pain not related to your menstrual cycle
- Heavy or unusual discharge that may be watery, thick, and possibly have a foul odor
- Increased urinary frequency
- Pain during urination
