I. What is cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer may occur when abnormal cells develop and spread in the lower part of the uterus where the cervix is located. Each year, 1,200 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed in the United States. Cervical cancer is unique: in most cases it is caused by a virus. The good news is that if detected early, cervical cancer has a very high cure rate.
What are the symptoms of cervical cancer?
There are usually no warning signs when cells in the cervical area first appear abnormal. As the tumor develops, the following symptoms may appear.
1. Unusual vaginal discharge
2. Vaginal bleeding during non-cyclical periods
3. Post-menopausal bleeding
4. Bleeding or pain during sexual intercourse
C. The culprit of cervical cancer: HPV virus
HPV virus, known as human papillomavirus in Chinese, is a generic term for a certain type of virus. 40 types of HPV can infect the genital area, and some of them have a high risk of causing cervical cancer. In most cases, genital infections with HPV can heal on their own, so there is no risk. However, if certain HPV infections become chronic, they can cause lesions in the cells of the cervix, which can lead to cancer. Worldwide, 90% of cervical cancer is caused by HPV, so it is not an exaggeration to call it the culprit.
IV. What are the symptoms of HPV infection?
HPV infection is usually asymptomatic in humans, and in most cases it is self-healing. Some types of HPV can cause genital warts, but these are not the same strains of HPV as the one that causes cervical cancer. It is important to know that HPV that causes genital warts does not cause cancer even if left untreated, while HPV that does cause cancer can remain latent in the body for many years without showing any symptoms.
Who can be infected with HPV?
HPV is very common, and most people who have had sex – both men and women – will become infected with HPV at some point in their lives. for many years. HPV can also cause cancer in the vulva, vagina, penis, anus, and mouth.
VI. How does HPV cause cervical cancer?
If a high-risk subtype of the HPV strain is latent in the body, it may cause cellular abnormalities in the cervical area. These precancerous lesions do not necessarily mean cancer, but over time, the abnormal cells may create the conditions for becoming cancerous. Once a tumor appears, it can spread in the cervix and surrounding area.
VII. What are the other high risk factors for cancer?
Ethnically, Hispanic and African-American women have a higher incidence of cervical cancer than white women. Other factors that predispose to infection are
1.Having smoking habit
2. Having many children
3. Long-term heavy use of birth control pills
4.HIV (AIDS) positive or weakened immune system
Early detection: Pap smear
In the early detection of cervical cancer, Pap smear (also known as Pap test) is very effective in detecting the presence of abnormal cells in the cervix before cancer appears. Women should have a Pap test every three years, starting at age 21. Between the ages of 30 and 65, the interval can be extended to every five years if the Pap test is done at the same time as the HPV test. However, those women at higher risk should be tested more often, so it is best to consult with your doctor to determine the testing interval. Neglecting the test can increase the risk of developing cervical cancer. It is important to emphasize that Pap tests should not be abandoned even for those who have received the HPV vaccine, as the HPV vaccine does not protect against all types of cervical cancer.
IX. What if the Pap test reveals abnormalities?
If the Pap test results show a slight abnormality, another Pap test will be needed to confirm. The doctor will also use a colposcope to look carefully at any changes in the cervical tissue and remove the sample for observation under a microscope. If the abnormal cells are precancerous, they are killed by treatment. Currently, the success rate of the cure is very high in preventing cancer cells from developing into tumors.
X. Early detection: DNA testing for HPV
In some cases, doctors perform DNA testing in addition to Pap tests on patients, which can measure at the molecular level whether a person is at high risk for HPV infection, and can be used in combination with Pap tests when screening women over the age of 30 for the disease. DNA testing is also recommended to confirm the results for those with abnormal Pap test findings.
XI. Diagnosis of cervical cancer: biopsy
A biopsy involves removing a number of tissue samples from the cervical area and sending them to a laboratory where they are examined by a pathology specialist for abnormal changes and the presence of precancerous or cancerous cells. In most cases, the biopsy is performed in conjunction with colposcopy.
XII. Staging of cervical cancer
Stage 0 indicates that cancer cells are found only on the surface of the cervix. More invasive cancers are divided into four stages: stage 1 is when the cancer has not yet spread to the whole cervix; stage 2 means the tumor has spread to the upper part of the vagina; stage 3 means the tumor has extended to the lower part of the vagina and may cause urinary disorders; at stage 4, the tumor has reached the bladder or rectum, or has spread to other parts of the body and formed a new tumor.
XIII. Cancer treatment: surgery
If the cancer is still in stage I and has not reached stage II, surgery is usually recommended to remove any tissue containing cancer cells. The surgery may involve removing the entire uterus, the cervix and some tissue around the cervix. The surgeon will also remove the fallopian tubes, ovaries, and lymph nodes near the tumor as needed.
XIV. Cancer Treatment: Radiation Therapy
External radiation therapy refers to killing cancer cells in the target area with high-energy X-ray irradiation outside the body, and can also be used to kill cancer cells remaining after surgery. Internal radiation therapy, also called brachytherapy, refers to the insertion of radiation source into the tumor location in the body to kill cancer cells. When treating women with cervical cancer, doctors also use a combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Side effects include lower blood cell counts, fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Cancer treatment: chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the action of drugs on the part of the body where the cancer is located. If cervical cancer cells have spread to other organs, chemotherapy becomes the main treatment. Depending on the nature and dosage of specific drugs, side effects caused by chemotherapy include fatigue, easy bruising, hair loss, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite.
XVI. How to cope with cancer treatment
Cancer treatment tends to make people feel tired and lose interest in food. However, it is very important to take enough calories and maintain a healthy weight during treatment; in addition, it is also important to maintain an active mental state. Engaging in some gentle exercise can improve physical vitality while reducing feelings of nausea and psychological stress. Consult your doctor to determine the appropriate form of exercise.
Cervical cancer and fertility
Surgery for cervical cancer usually involves removal of the uterus or even the ovaries, which leaves the patient without the possibility of future pregnancy. However, if cervical cancer is detected early, it is still possible to retain the ability to become a mother after the surgical procedure. A technique called radical trachelectomy removes the cervix and part of the vagina, but leaves most of the uterus intact so that pregnancy and childbirth are still possible.
XVIII. Survival rate of cervical cancer patients
The survival rate of cervical cancer patients is very closely related to how early the cancer is detected, and overall, about 68% of patients survive for more than 5 years after cancer diagnosis.