Expert Talk: Causes, Symptoms And Treatment Of Cervical Cancer - Femina

Expert Talk: Causes, Symptoms And Treatment Of Cervical Cancer - Femina

Expert Talk: Causes, Symptoms And Treatment Of Cervical Cancer - Femina

Posted: 10 Jan 2021 10:08 PM PST

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Symptoms

The month of January is known as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. Here's a look at the causes and symptoms of this type of cancer and the treatment available for it.

Causes of Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer occurs in the cells of the cervix. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. Various strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection, play a role in causing most cervical cancer. All sexually active women get infected with HPV at some point in their lives. When exposed to HPV, the body's immune system typically prevents the virus from doing harm. In a small percentage of women, however, the virus survives for years, contributing to the process that causes some cervical cells to become cancer cells.

Symptoms
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Symptoms Of Cervical Cancer
Though an easily detectable cancer, early-stage of cervical cancer generally produces no signs or symptoms.

Symptoms of early-stage cervical cancer may include:
- Irregular blood spotting or light bleeding after periods in women of reproductive age
- Postmenopausal spotting or bleeding
- Bleeding after sexual intercourse
- Increased vaginal discharge, sometimes accompanied by a foul odour

As cervical cancer advances, more severe symptoms may appear, including:
- Persistent back, leg and/or pelvic pain
- Weight loss, fatigue, loss of appetite
- Foul-smell discharge and vaginal discomfort
- Swelling of a leg or both lower extremities
- Other severe symptoms may arise at advanced stages depending on which organs cancer has spread

Women can reduce their risk of developing cervical cancer by being aware of symptoms and going for regular screening tests.

Screening Tests For Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer screening involves testing for pre-cancer and cancer, more and more testing for HPV infection is performed. When screening detects an HPV infection or pre-cancerous lesions, these can easily be treated, and cancer can be avoided. Screening can also detect cancer at an early stage and treatment has a high potential for cure.

Since pre-cancerous lesions take years to develop, regular screening is recommended for every woman from the age of 30 onwards (frequency depends on the screening test used). For advanced lesions, women should be referred for further investigations and adequate management.

Symptoms
Image: Shutterstock

Treatment For Cervical Cancer

For the treatment of pre-cancer lesions, WHO recommends the use of cryotherapy or thermal ablation and Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP), when available.

The treatment options available are surgery, radiation therapy, systematic therapy that involves chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapy. Which of the treatment would work for a patient is determined by different factors. These include the age of the patient when diagnosed, type and stage of cancer, possible side effects of the treatment modality, and finally the preference of the patient.

If any type of symptoms stated above is present, consult with your doctor immediately who can guide you further. Do note, that self-diagnosis is not possible and therefore self-medication should not be done. If you doubt something, go to a medical practitioner for consultation and treatment.

Palliative care in advanced cervical cancer is also an essential element of cancer management to relieve pain and suffering due to the disease.

Also read: Expert Talk: What You Need To Know About Cervical Cancer

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