CANCER OF THE CERVIX


Cancer is an excessive growth of any body tissue with a capability of spreading to other parts of the body.
The cervix is the lower, narrow part of the uterus (womb). The cervix forms a canal that opens into the vagina, which leads to the outside of the body.

Why is it important to diagnose and prevent?

It is the most common cause of cancer in women in India with more than 72,000 deaths/year
Over 200 women die from Cervical Cancer every day.
On an average 8 woman die every hour and 1 woman dies every 7 minute.

Who is at risk in developing cancer of the cervix?

• Initiation of sexual intercourse before age 18
• Multiple sexual partners
• Early age of marriage
• First pregnancy at an early age
• Four or more number of pregnancies
• Women with poor personal hygiene

What are the symptoms of cervical cancer?

• Bleeding after sexual intercourse or in between periods
• Bleeding after menopause (menopause is the period after cessation of periods)
• Excessive white discharge (leucorrhoea) could be an early symptom

Cervical Cancer Image

How can cancer of the cervix be diagnosed?

When you visit a doctor with any of the above problems, the doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms and will examine you.
The tests for detection of cervical cancer include Pap smear, colposcopy and cervical biopsy

Pap Smear

The Pap smear is a test to detect early changes in cells of the cervix (Pre-cancer stage). It is taken during an internal examination of the vagina. A speculum is inserted into the vagina and some cells are then taken from the cervix using a small brush and sent to a medical laboratory to be checked for abnormal cells (Cytology)
It is not a painful procedure.

Pap Smears Image


Colposcopy: Microscopic examination of the cervix to look for abnormal areas.
Biopsy of the cervix is removal of a piece of tissue for laboratory examination (Histology)

Prevention:

Cervical cancer is preventable.
If all women have pap tests regularly, most pre cancerous conditions would be detected and treated before cancer develops. Abnormal Pap smear test does not necessarily mean patient is suffering from cancer, but may indicate a pre cancerous stage.

It is important that all women have a Pap smear test every two years.

Is there a Vaccination for cervical cancer?

HPV vaccination is recommended for prevention of cervical cancer in young girls. It is given in three doses over a period of six months.
Vaccination will not completely prevent the risk of cervical cancer and is not a substitute for Pap smears.

How can cancer of the cervix be treated?

Treatment depends on a number of factors including age, size of the tumour, stage of the disease and the general health of the patient. Staging is a process to looking at whether the cancer has spread and, if so, what parts of the body are affected. Many different treatments and combination of treatments are used to treat cancer of the cervix.
The three common modes of cancer treatment are surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Radiation therapy is the mainstay in the treatment of the cancer of the cervix.

Follow-up care

Regular follow-up examinations including a pelvic examination, a Pap test are very important for any woman who has been treated for pre cancerous changes or for cancer of the cervix. The doctor will do these tests and exams frequently for several years.