CERVICAL CANCER

  The Cervix is the narrow lower portion of the uterus that opens into the vagina. The cervix connects the body of the uterus to the vagina (birth canal). The part of the cervix closest to the body of the uterus is called the
endocervix which is made up of cell called columnar or grandular cells. While the part extending into the vagina is the ectocervix which is a healthy pink color and is covered with flat, thin cells called squamous cells. The area where these cells meet is called the “Transformation Zone”  the exact location of the transformation zone changes as you age and if you give birth. The transformation zone is the most likely location for abnormal or precancerous cells to develop.
   Most cervical cancers are squamous cell cancers. Adenocarcinoma cell cancer develops from the glands that produce mucus in the endocervix. It is the second most common type of cervical cancer
   Cervical cancer tends to occur during midlife and it is the second most
common type of cancer for women worldwide but because it develops over time, it’s now considered the easiest female cancer to prevent.

CAUSES OF CERVICAL CANCER
   Human papillomavirus (HPV) which is a common sexually transmitted infection causes almost about 99% of cervical cancer. HPV is transmitted
when the skin or mucous membranes of an infected person makes physical contact with the skin or mucous membrane of a person who isn’t infected.
In most cases, the infection does not cause symptoms, only a few strains of the virus produce visible symptoms which makes it easy to unknowingly transfer it to another person, which may cause cervical cancer or abnormal growth of cervical cells.
   There are over 100 different types of HPV, most of which are considered low-risk and do not cause cervical cancer. However, certain strains of the virus termed High-risk HPV types which are HPV-16 and HPV-18 can infect cells and cause problems such as genital warts or cancer.
   HPV  For most women (About 90%) the HPV infection does not last long and the infections resolve on their own within 2 years. While a small number have persistent infection and they are at greater risk of developing cervical cell abnormalities and cancer than a woman whose
infection resolves on its own.

RISK FACTORS FOR CERVICAL CANCER
Risk factors for cervical cancer include:
-High risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection
-Long term oral use of birth control pills
-Having many sexual partners
-Smoking
-Having a weakened immune system
-Mother’s use of diethylstilbestrol during pregnancy
-And engaging in early sexual contact.

Risk factors for HPV include:
-A high number of sexual partners
-First sexual intercourse at a young age
-A weakened immune system

SYMPTOMS OF CERVICAL CANCER
   In it's early stages cervical cancer typically does not cause symptoms. They occur when the precancerous cells are left untreated and progress to invasive cervical cancer. But when symptoms do occur, they are:

1. Abnormal Vaginal bleeding
   The bleeding may occur between menstrual periods or heavy menstrual bleeding, bleeding after douching, after a pelvic exam or after sexual intercourse. These bleeding often gets dismissed as spotting.

2. Bleeding after going through menopause
   Vaginal bleeding can also occur in postmenopausal women who no longer have menstrual periods which is not normal.

3. Increased vaginal discharge
   The discharge may be:
-Watery,
-Thick
-White
-Foul smelling
-Brown
-Clear
-Tinged with blood

4. Pains during sex

5. Pelvic pain not related to your menstrual cycle

  As cancer develops, it can cause more severe symptoms, which may include:
-Frequency of urine
-Pain during urination
-Blood in the urine
-Fatigue
-Rectal bleeding
-Diarrhoea
-Lower limb lymphoedema.
-Difficulty defecating
-Weight loss
   These symptoms could also be signs of other health problems, not related to cervical cancer. Notify your healthcare provider if you experience any of these symptoms.

PREVENTING HPV AND CERVICAL CANCER

1. SCREENING: People rarely have symptoms of cervical cancer in its early stages, and it rarely affects women under age 20, Half of the women diagnosed with the disease are between 35 and 55 years of age. For this reason, it is important for women to go for cervical cancer screening until at least the age of 70. cancer.
   The Pap test, or smear, is one of the most reliable cancer screening tests available. Regular pelvic exams and Pap testing can detect precancerous cell changes in the cervix early and prevent the development of cervical cancer.
   Doctors use several terms to describe these precancerous changes,including cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) , squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) , and dysplasia.  These changes can be detected by the Pap test and treated to prevent cancer from developing  Doctors may also do an HPV test the same time they do a pap test. This involves swabbing the cervix, then examining the cells for evidence for HPV DNA.
   Precancerous changes in the cervix may be treated with cryosurgery, cauterization, or laser surgery.

2. VACCINATION
   Vaccination against HPV is the best preventive measure to take against
cervical cancer. Vaccination against HPV is recommended before you get sexually active, because it's only effective when given to people before they become infected with the virus. So the Vaccination against HPV is advised for females aged 9 to 26.
   One such vaccine, is Gardasil and it guards against the two most common high risk types of HPV, strain 16 and 18.