Despite being a disease exclusive to women, cervical cancer is among the 10 most common types of cancer in the world . In fact, about 570,000 new cases are diagnosed each year, being the third most common cancer among women.
The main characteristic that makes this cancer different from others is that the primary cause is having an infection with the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), a sexually transmitted pathogen. Therefore, despite the fact that, as we will see, it can be caused by other factors, it is a preventable cancer by taking care of sexual relations.
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Next, we will study the nature of cervical cancer, analyzing both its causes and symptoms, as well as the prevention strategies, diagnosis and available treatments.
What is cervical cancer?
Cervical, cervical or cervical cancer is the malignant tumor that develops in the cells of the cervix , which is the lower region of the uterus that empties into the upper part of the vagina. It is common in women from the age of 30.
Like any type of cancer, it consists of an abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells in our body, which, due to mutations in their genetic material, lose the ability to regulate their division cycles.
Over time, this lack of control in cell division causes a mass of cells to form that has grown excessively and that does not have the morphology or physiology of the tissue or organ in which it is found. In case it does not cause damage, we are talking about a benign tumor. But if it endangers the health of the person, we are facing a malignant tumor or cancer.
Most cases of this cancer are caused by an infection by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), and taking into account that the contagion can be prevented by having safe sexual practices and receiving a vaccine against this virus, neck cancer uterine can be considered a disease, in part, preventable.
Causes
The cause of all cancer is the appearance of mutations in the cells of our body . Sometimes these arise by mere chance or without a clear trigger. But in others, the reason for the cellular damage that leads to the formation of a tumor can be located. And this is one of those cases.
Just as we know that tobacco is the trigger for most cases of lung cancer or that many skin cancers are due to prolonged exposure to the sun, we also know that behind many cervical cancers there is an increasing HPV infection the risk of developing this disease.
Therefore, the main cause of cervical cancer is being infected with the human papillomavirus. It is a sexually transmitted pathogen that, although the immune system tends to fight it before it causes damage, it is possible that a few virus particles “hide” for a time inside the cells of the cervix.
This causes, over time, the cells that harbor the viruses begin to suffer damage to their genetic material that can lead to the formation of a tumor. In other words, it is the “camouflaged” virus that triggers the appearance of this oncological disease.
However, it must also be taken into account that there are cases that are diagnosed in people without the virus and that there are people infected with HPV who never develop cervical cancer, so the genetics itself, the environment and the style of life play a very important role.
In summary, being infected by the virus is not a sentence of suffering from this cancer, nor is being free of the virus a guarantee of never suffering from this tumor. Of course, the virus greatly increases the risk.
Therefore, there are risk factors, most related to the probability of getting the human papillomavirus: unprotected sex, many sexual partners , starting to have sex at a young age, having a weakened immune system, smoking, suffer from other sexually transmitted diseases …
Symptoms
In the early stages, cervical cancer does not show symptoms or signs of its presence , so it is important to have regular tests to detect it in its early stages. Already in more advanced stages, cervical cancer manifests itself as follows:
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding between periods
- Vaginal bleeding after intercourse
- Vaginal bleeding after menopause
- Watery, bloody, foul-smelling vaginal discharge
- Pelvic pain
Usually, however, the problems do not tend to escalate until the cancer has spread to the bladder, intestines, liver, and even lungs, in which case treatment is already much more complicated.
Noticing unusual back pain, weakness and fatigue, swelling in one leg, weight loss, bone pain, loss of appetite … These are often indicators that cervical cancer is moving into a more dangerous phase and care should be sought medical immediately.
Prevention
In most cases, cervical cancer is preventable . Here are the best ways to reduce the risk of suffering from it, although it is important to remember that sometimes it appears without an apparent cause, in which case prevention is more difficult.
1. Vaccinations
We have a vaccine that protects us against the main types of human papillomavirus (HPV) responsible for most cases of cervical cancer. Therefore, when in doubt as to whether or not you are vaccinated, check your vaccination schedule and, in case you have never had the vaccine, request it.
2. Practice safe sex
Using a condom greatly reduces your chances of getting infected with the human papillomavirus and, therefore, of developing cervical cancer. In addition, limiting the number of sexual partners and ensuring that they have not engaged in risky sexual behaviors is a good way to further reduce the risk of being infected with the virus.
3. Get medical exams
Most cases of cervical cancer can be treated successfully if caught early. For this reason, with a frequency that your doctor will determine, it is very important that you undergo periodic vaginal cytologies, as it is the best way to detect abnormal growths in the region early.
4. Adopt healthy lifestyle habits
We know that smoking is a risk factor in the development of some cervical cancers. Therefore, it is important not to start smoking or, if you do, stop smoking. In addition, eating a rich and balanced diet and including physical exercise in the daily routine further reduces the risk of suffering from this and other types of cancer.
Diagnosis
Given its high incidence, it is recommended that women over 21 years of age begin to undergo tests to detect the presence of precancerous cells and act before the person develops cancer. During these tests, the doctor will scrape the cervix to analyze the samples for abnormalities, and will also be tested for HPV.
If there is suspicion that there may be a cervical tumor, a complete examination will be performed, which will consist of a biopsy, that is, a removal of tissue from the cervix.
If the doctor confirms that the person suffers from cervical cancer, the next step is to determine what stage they are in, as this is essential to start one treatment or another . This is accomplished through x-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and visual examinations of the bladder and rectum.
Treatment
If the doctor has determined that the cancer is in an early stage and / or there is no risk that it will – or has metastasized to other organs or tissues, surgery may be sufficient .
The surgical procedure will depend on the size, the stage and the desire of the woman to have children or not. It can be done by removing just the tumor, by removing the entire cervix, or by removing both the cervix and the uterus. These last two options make it impossible for a woman to become pregnant in the future.
In most cases, surgery is sufficient, because if the detection arrives on time (which is usual), it is not usually necessary to do more invasive treatments. However, there are times when, either because it has metastasized or is at risk of metastasizing, surgery cannot cure the person.
In this case, the patient will have to undergo chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy , administration of medications or a combination of several.
Still, surgery is most likely sufficient as long as routine examinations are followed. But is that as we have seen, many cases should not occur since this is one of the most preventable cancers.
