Cervical Cancer: Causes, Symptoms and Diagnosis

Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world and is the second most common cancer among women in India. According to The Lancet: Regional Health (Southeast Asia), this condition accounts for almost 10% of all cancers in females. It is most associated with the human papillomavirus (HPV).

If cervical cancer is not detected early, it can be fatal. However, if detected in its early stages, cervical cancer treatment is more effective and can cure the condition. In this article, we discuss what cervical cancer is, the stages of cervical cancer, its causes, symptoms, and diagnosis.

What is Cervical Cancer? 

Cervical cancer is an abnormal growth of cells in the cervix. The cervix refers to the lower area of the uterus, which connects to the vagina. The condition usually begins on the surface of the cervix, where the cells become precancerous. The disease progresses in stages. The four stages of cervical cancer are:

1. Stage 0

In this stage, precancerous cells begin to present in the cervix.

2. Stage 1

In this stage, cancer cells start to grow on the surface of the cervix. They may also spread deeper into the cervix’s tissue, uterus, and lymph nodes. However, the cancer is still small and has not yet spread to other parts of the body.

3. Stage 2

 In this stage, the cancer has moved beyond the area of the cervix and uterus. While it is larger, it has not yet reached the pelvis or lower part of the vagina.

4. Stage 3

 In this stage, the cancer has spread to the lower part of the vagina and the pelvis. It could also be locking the tubes that carry urine from the bladder (called the ureters). However, it still has not spread to other parts of the body.

5. Stage 4

In the final stage, the cancer affects the rectum and bladder and grows out of the pelvis. It may also spread to more distant organs, like the liver, bones, lungs, and lymph nodes.

What are the Causes of Cervical Cancer?

Cervical cancer is most commonly caused by HPV, or the human papillomavirus. HPV spreads through anal, oral, or vaginal sexual contact. There are about 100 strains of HPV, but only certain types can cause cervical cancer. The two most common kinds that lead to cancer are HPV-16 and HPV-18.

What are Risk Factors of Getting Cervical Cancer? 

 Apart from HPV, certain risk factors can increase an individual’s chances of developing cervical cancer. These include:

1. Smoking

 Smoking increases the chances of developing cervical cancer since HPV infections tend to last longer in those who smoke and are less likely to heal.

2. Many Sexual Partners or Early Sexual Activity

 HPV is a sexually transmitted disease. The more sexual partners an individual has, the higher their chances of getting HPV. Sexual activity at an early age can also put individuals at a higher risk of getting HPV.

3. Other Sexually Transmitted Diseases

 Having other sexually transmitted infections and diseases, such as chlamydia, herpes, gonorrhoea, HIV/AIDS, and syphilis, increases the chances of getting HPV. This increases an individual’s chances of getting cervical cancer.

4. Weak Immune System

 If an individual has a weakened immune system, they are more likely to get HPV and cervical cancer.

What are the Symptoms of Cervical Cancer? 

Cervical cancer symptoms can differ based on the stage of the disease. In the earliest stages, many women do not notice any symptoms. However, when symptoms do appear, they are often mistaken for other conditions like UTIs (urinary tract infections) and menstrual periods. Some of the most common signs to watch for include:

1. Pain in the pelvis
2. Vaginal discharge with an unusual smell or look
3. Bleeding at abnormal times, like between periods, following sexual intercourse, or after menopause
4. Frequent urination
5. Pain during urination

How is Cervical Cancer Diagnosed? 

The early stages of cervical cancer often don’t present any noticeable symptoms. Some standard cervical cancer tests include:

1. Colposcopies (Coloscopes magnify the cervix cells so medical professionals can check for irregular cells).
2. Kidney and liver function tests.
3. X-rays of the bladder, rectum, bowels, or lungs (to determine if the cancer has spread).
4. Other imaging tests like CT scans and MRIs
5. HPV tests may be administered to check the cervix for cancer-causing strains of HPV.

Regularly getting pap tests and cervical cancer screenings can catch cell changes in the cervix before the cancer can progress.

If an individual has symptoms of cervical cancer, it is necessary to consult a medical professional as soon as possible. For regular cervical cancer and HPV tests, visit the Dr Lal PathLabs website today.

FAQs

1. What is the leading cause of cervical cancer?

 The biggest cause of cervical cancer is infection from the human papillomavirus.

2. Who is at high risk for cervical cancer?

 Sexually active women, individuals who smoke, have weak immune systems, and have multiple sexual partners have a higher risk of developing cervical cancer.