What is Cervical Cancer?
Cervical cancer is cancer that starts in the cervix, the narrow opening into the uterus from the vagina. Cervical cancer occurs when abnormal cells on the cervix grow out of control. Cervical cancer can often be successfully treated when it's found early. It is usually found at a very early stage through a Pap test.
Causes Of Cervical Cancer
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is found in about 99% of cervical cancers. High-risk HPV types may cause cervical cell abnormalities or cancer. HPV infection is spread through sexual contact or skin-to-skin contact. The infection typically resolves on its own. In some women, the HPV infection persists and causes precancerous changes in the cells of the cervix.
Symptoms Of Cervical Cancer
Symptoms of Cervical cancer include abnormal bleeding i.e., bleeding between periods, bleeding after sexual intercourse and bleeding after menopause, vaginal discharge (thick or watery with a foul smell), pelvic pain not related to menstrual cycle, pain during sexual intercourse, Pain during urination and increased urination frequency.
Diagnosis Of Cervical Cancer
As part of a pelvic exam, you should have a Pap test. During a Pap test, the doctor scrapes a small sample of cells from the surface of the cervix to look for cell changes. If a Pap test shows abnormal cell changes, a Colposcopy procedure is then performed. Colposcopy uses a lighted microscope to examine the external surface of the cervix during a pelvic examination. If abnormal areas are noted, a small tissue sample (biopsy) is taken for examination to find precancerous cells.
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