Cervical cancer is a difficult cancer to treat because people don’t always show symptoms until later stages. To keep yourself healthy for years to come it’s important to learn about cervical cancer and how to prevent it. This article discusses the steps you can take to reduce your risk through screening tests and the HPV vaccine
What Is Cervical Cancer?
Cancer is a life-threatening disease that occurs when your body’s cells grow and change. These cells often grow out of control within a specific organ and to other parts of the body. Cervical cancer starts in the cervix, the opening to the uterus. Cervical cancer is very serious because people don’t usually show symptoms in the early stages. Diagnosing cervical cancer early is key to survival.
Types of cervical cancer
There are a few different types of cervical cancers, which are named after the type of cancer cell.
Squamous cell carcinoma
This is the most common form of cervical cancer. Ninety percent of people diagnosed with cervical cancer will have squamous cell carcinoma.
Adenocarcinoma
This type of cervical cancer develops in the mucous-producing glandular cells of the cervix.
Adenosquamous carcinoma or mixed carcinoma
This is when cervical cancer is mixed with both squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma.
What Are the Risk Factors for Cervical Cancer?
Anyone with a cervix has a risk of getting cervical cancer, but certain factors can increase your risk.
Human papillomavirus (HPV), a common virus spread during sex is the leading risk factor for cervical cancer. Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by this virus. Since HPV is the most common cause of this cancer, it’s important to know what the risk factors for HPV are.
Risk factors for HPV include:
- Having sex at an early age
- The number of sexual partners you have (the more sexual partners you have, the greater the risk of getting HPV)
- A weakened immune system
- Having other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Other risk factors for cervical cancer are:
- Family history of cervical cancer
- Not getting routine cervical cancer screenings
- Smoking
- Long-term use of birth control pills
- Having three or more full-term pregnancies
- Having human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- Having used the drug diethylstilbestrol or DES to prevent miscarriage
How Is Cervical Cancer Diagnosed?
The first step in getting a cervical cancer diagnosis is getting routine cervical cancer screenings such as an HPV test and/or a PAP test. Both of these tests are done in a doctor’s office where your doctor will take a swab of cells from your cervix. The swab is sent to a lab to check for HPV, precancerous cells or any other abnormal cells.
If your screening comes back with a concern for cancer, your doctor will order more tests that can give a definitive diagnosis.
What Tests Can Check For Cervical Cancer?
After your cervical cancer screening test comes back with abnormalities or cause for concern, other tests will be ordered. Some tests your doctor may order after routine screenings are:
Biopsy
A biopsy is a simple procedure where your doctor takes a sample of the cervical tissue and has it analyzed for cancer cells.
Colposcopy
This procedure is done in your doctor’s office and uses a speculum to take a look at the cervix. A solution is placed on the cervix to look for abnormal cells. A biopsy is usually taken during this procedure.
Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP)
This procedure is done in a doctor’s office under local anesthesia. The LEEP procedure uses a thin wire to remove cells from the cervix to either diagnose cancer or remove precancer or early-stage cancer cells.
Cervical Cancer Symptoms
In the early stages, cervical cancer is hard to detect because most people don’t show symptoms. Symptoms usually appear when the cancer becomes more advanced or spreads to other body parts.
Cervical cancer symptoms include:
- Vaginal bleeding in between periods or periods that are heavier than normal
- Bleeding after menopause
- Bleeding after sex
- Vaginal discharge, often having a foul odor
- Vaginal discharge that is watery or contains blood
- Pelvic pain during sex
These symptoms can occur in the earlier stages of cancer and should be reported to your doctor right away.
Symptoms of late-stage cervical cancer include:
- Painful bowel movements or bleeding from the rectum
- Difficult urination, painful urination or blood in urine
- Back pain
- Leg swelling
- Pain in abdomen
- Feeling tired
Once you have symptoms of cervical cancer, it can be challenging to treat. Getting routine cervical cancer screenings can help you get diagnosed early, increasing your chances of survival. Preventing HPV is the best way you can reduce your risk of cervical cancer.
HPV Vaccine For Cervical Cancer Prevention
The best way to reduce your risk of cervical cancer is to prevent HPV. There is a safe and effective HPV vaccine that can be given up to age 26. When started early, the HPV vaccine is given in two doses, 6-12 months apart. Many doctors recommend getting the vaccine before someone becomes sexually active and is exposed to HPV. Most doctors recommend giving the first dose between the ages of nine and 12.
You can get the HPV vaccine over the age of 15, but it will be given in three doses over six months.
Cervical cancer is life-threatening. Understanding more about it can help you make the best healthcare decisions. If you want to know more about reducing your risk of cervical cancer, talk to your healthcare provider about routine screenings and getting the HPV vaccine.
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