Understanding Cervical Cancer
by Premier Hospitals | August 16, 2018 |
CERVICAL CANCER Cervical cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in India. This type of cancer affects the woman's cervix, which is the lowest part of the uterus and establishes the connecting link to the vagina. There is abnormal cell growth in the cervix, it then begins to invade other surrounding tissues as well as organs of the woman's body and this is when cervical cancer is established in the patient. At first, this type of cancer affects the surrounding and deeper tissues of the cervix and continue to spread on to body organs such as the lungs, liver, bladder, vagina and the rectum.
It is caused by a virus called the Human Papilloma Virus. It spreads through several contacts. Cervical cancer is slow-growing cancer and as it covers, provides with plenty of indications through precancerous symptoms to signify the presence of the disease in one's body. These precancerous symptoms and changes are quite visible in one's body and thus provides an opportunity for doctors to detect it early enough to provide adequate, and appropriate treatments to protect the patient. Sometimes treatments help in altogether avoiding further spreading of the disease or even prevent it before it begins. It is between the ages of 20-30's that women start observing these many precancerous changes, but due to the slow process of cervical cancer, the disease itself is found at an average age of 50.
Risk Factors:
The nature of cervical cancer is such that it may not show visible signs of symptoms at first, but the later patient may have pelvic pain and bleeding through the vagina. It usually takes several years for healthy cells to turn into cancer cells. However, below are some vital risk factors that could lead to cervical cancer.
- Smoking,
- Multi parity
- Multiple sexual partners
- Use of oral contraceptive pills for a long time
- HIV infection.
Preventive Measures:
As mentioned earlier, the slow progression rate of cervical cancer, it certainly helps in detecting the problem pretty early in its course. It, however, depends on many factors and HPV vaccines plays a massive role in the same. As HPV causes cancer itself, doctors believe the use of the vaccination in early years for women could help prevent cervical cancer in the long run. At first, a test called Pap Smear is conducted, which is understood to be highly useful in screening cervical cancer and the various symptoms associated with it. HPV vaccine, on the other hand, is effective in preventing precancerous lesions, vulvar and vaginal lesions.Â
A thorough check-up and screening for HPV infection are essential to avoid any future risks with cervical cancer. This kind of cancer and its slow progression is a boon to medical science and the many doctors fighting every day for patients to prevent the disease altogether. It is with the understanding of the patient and the need to detect this problem early on, which will go a long way to help prevent this cancer altogether.
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About The Hospital:
Since the inception of Premier Hospital in 1991 till today, we have grown to unprecedented levels, due to our excellence in medical sciences and healthcare. Premier Hospital is the creation of Dr Mahesh Marda and when it was first established, was only a small, 30-bed hospital facility. Back then, we provided only secondary care to patients, but that certainly has changed in the present landscape.