Cervical Caner: Causes, Diagnosis, Preventive Steps & Treatment

As the name says, cervical cancer or cancer of the cervix usually starts on the surface of your cervix. The cervical cells begin to grow abnormally and develop into precancerous cells which marks the first stage of the cancer.  Also, not all precancerous cells develop into cancer. It is, however, important to find these cells and treat them as a precautionary measure. 

Causes/ Risk Factors 

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection which affects the skin, genital area, and throat. In most people with strong immune systems, the body itself clears the virus from the body. Persistent infection, however, with high-risk HPV leads to abnormal growth of cells in your body causing cancer. 

If the persistent HPV infection is left untreated, it leads to cancer which accounts for 95% of cervical cancers in the world. Although cancer is common, the cancerous cells take around 15-20 years to fully develop and start showing symptoms. This process, however, becomes faster up to 5-10 years in women with weak immune systems. 

In addition to this, the other risk factors include: 

1. Oncogenicity of the HPV.
2. Your body’s immune status.
3. Presence of other sexually transmitted infections including Herpes.
4. Use of hormonal contraceptives.
5. Smoking.
6. Number of births. 

Prevention Steps for Cervical Cancer 

Creating public awareness of cancer and having access to information and services is one of the primary ways to prevent and control cervical cancer. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 93% of cervical cancers are preventable with early detection and screening. 

Apart from this, other steps include: 

1. Ensuring vaccination of girls from the age of 9 to 14 years is one of the effective ways to prevent HPV infection, cervical cancer, and other HPV-related infections.
2. Screening for cervical cancer from the age of 30 can also help in detecting cervical disease that can develop into cancer.

 At any stage of the disease, if you notice sudden or abnormal symptoms, consult your doctor at the earliest for prompt detection and treatment. Early detection of cancer can help you in improving your quality of life. Keep in mind that prevention of cervical cancer is one of the best ways to get rid of the cancer altogether. 

HPV Vaccination and Other Prevention Steps 

From 2023, 6 HPV vaccines available globally. The vaccines are effective in safeguarding you against even high-risk HPV types. 

As a precautionary measure, you can consider about HPV vaccine for all girls between the ages of 9 to 14 years or before they become sexually active. The vaccine may be given in either 1 or 2 doses. People with weak immune systems, however, may require more than 2 doses. 

In addition, to the prevention of cervical cancer vaccine (HPV), you can prevent the infection by: 

1. Restricting smoking.
2. Using condoms.
3. Voluntary male circumcision.
4. Regular exercise.
5. Limiting your number of sexual partners.
6. Following a cancer prevention diet. 

The goal of cervical cancer screening is to detect precancerous cells in the cervix and provide appropriate treatment that can prevent cancer from developing. Cervical cancer if detected at an early stage is easier to treat as compared to the cancer that has spread substantially. 

Screening Tests Available in India 

The screening tests for cervical cancer are:  

1. HPV test; this checks cells for contamination with high-risk HPV sorts that can lead to cervical cancer.
2. Pap smear test; during this test, cervical cells are collected and checked for HPV infection. 

Does Cervical Cancer Screening Have Any Risks? 

Cervical cancer screening is important as it saves lives. These screening tests can detect cancer at an early stage and increase your chances of survival. Although beneficial, the screening is yet not perfect as there are also possible risks that you need to be aware of. These include: 

1. Unnecessary follow-up tests and treatments: 

One of the potential side effects of screening tests includes finding a condition that may not have any consequences. If detected, however, it may also require follow-up tests and even treatments. The recently developed screening tests mitigate this risk by reducing the chances of finding cervical cell abnormalities that get cured on their own. 

2. False positive test results: 

 Many times, a screening test for cervical cancer results may also behave abnormally. The test may give you a positive result even when you do not have cancer.  Such scenarios may lead to anxiety and warrant more tests and procedures. 

3. False-negative test results: 

Similar to false positives, the screening tests may also show false negative test results even though cancer is present. Such a scenario may delay your medical care even if there are visible symptoms. 

Detection, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Cancer 

As mentioned earlier, your chances of survival with cervical cancer are automatically increased if diagnosed and treated at an early stage. You need to be aware of the symptoms and consult a doctor as soon as you notice a change. 

The symptoms of cervical cancer is as follows: 

1. Unusual bleeding between periods or after menopause or sexual intercourse.
2. Persistent pain in the back, legs, or pelvis that does not go away even with pain  relievers.
3. Increased or foul-smelling vaginal discharge.
4. Vaginal discomfort.
5. Swelling in the legs.
6. Weight loss, fatigue, and loss of appetite. 

With such apparent symptoms, you need a thorough clinical evaluation and test to confirm the diagnosis. If your diagnosis also confirms the presence of cervical cancer, the treatment follows. The treatment will depend on your symptoms and may include a combination of surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and palliative care. 

Proper management for invasive cancer is an important tool to ensure that you are promptly referred and supported to navigate the diagnosis and treatment steps. Quality care should include: 

1. A multidisciplinary team ensures accurate diagnosis and staging before starting the treatment.
2. Treatment strategy that is in line with the national guidelines.
3. Supportive interventions include palliative care, psychological, and spiritual support. 

For more information on cancer diagnosis, treatment, and support,  you can reach out to our team at Motherhood Chaitanya Hospital.