Cervical Cancer: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Cervical cancer occurs in the cervical cells which are present in the lower part of the uterus. It is usually caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) which is transmitted sexually. However, in some cases, the virus may survive for a few years, causing some cells of the cervix to become cancerous.

Cervical cancer is usually classified into two types:

1. Adenocarcinoma: This type of cancer starts in the column shaped glandular cells along the lining of the cervix.
2. Squamous cell carcinoma: Most cases of cervical cancer are of this type. Here, the cancer occurs in the flat and thin cells that are present in the outer region of the cervix.

Symptoms: Usually, very few symptoms show up in the initial stages. However, the latter stages tell a different story. The symptoms at an advanced stage are:

1. You may experience pain during sexual intercourse
2. Foul smelling discharge from the vagina
3. Bleeding from the vagina during sexual intercourse

Causes: Cervical cancer develops due to the mutation of healthy cells which makes turns them into malignant (cancerous) cells. The cancerous cells tend to grow at a fast pace, thus accumulating and forming a tumor. The cancerous cells may also spread to the adjoining areas of the body.

There are certain factors which increase your chances of being affected by cervical cancer:

1. Too many sexual partners: The chances of cervical cancer increase significantly if you have multiple sexual partners.
2. A weak immune system: A weak immune system makes you highly susceptible to cervical cancer.
3. Lifestyle factors: Various lifestyle factors such as smoking can increase your risk of cervical cancer.

Treatment:
The treatment for cervical cancer involves the following:

1. Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy involves injecting chemicals into the vein to destroy the cancer cells.
2. Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy consists of using x-rays to destroy the cancer cells. Radiation therapy may be used alongside chemotherapy to destroy cancer cells.
3. Surgery: Hysterectomy is a surgical procedure that is used in the treatment of cervical cancer. It involves removal of the uterus to treat this disorder. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a gynaecologist.