Nobody wants to hear their doctor tell them they have cancer. A cancer diagnosis can leave the patient and their family and friends feeling anxious, distressed, and depressed. Cancer treatments can result in severe side effects that can make daily living activities difficult. Thankfully, more cancer patients are surviving and thriving due to improved medical treatments and support services.
There are over 100 types of cancer that affect various tissues and organs throughout the body. Cervical cancer is one of the types of cancer that specifically affects women. This cancer affects the cervix, which connects the lower part of the uterus to the vagina. Cervical cancer develops from a sexually transmitted infection that causes some cells in the cervix to become cancerous. The good news is that cervical cancer is curable in the early stage.
Signs of Cervical Cancer
Unfortunately, there are no signs or symptoms of cervical cancer in the early stages. Another problem is that the signs of cervical cancer may be the result of other medical issues. Always seek medical care when experiencing unusual symptoms in the vaginal area that do not go away.The signs of cervical cancer include:
- Light bleeding following or between periods
- Heavy menstrual bleeding with a foul odor
- Pelvic pain and pain after intercourse
- Bleeding after intercourse or after menopause
Report these symptoms to a doctor even if they are signs of another less serious health condition. The doctor can give an exam to determine if it is cervical cancer or some other health issue. It is best to detect any health issues in the early stages before they get worse.
Prevention and Treatment of Cervical Cancer
Knowing the risk factors for cervical cancer is the best way to prevent developing this disease. Cervical cancer is frequently diagnosed in women between 35 and 50 years of age. It is rarely diagnosed in women under 20 years of age. The risk factors for developing cervical cancer can affect women at any age. These risk factors include:
- Having many sexual partners
- Engaging in sexual activity at an early age
- Developing other sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhea, syphilis, or HIV/AIDS
- Having a weak immune system from other health conditions
- Being a smoker
There are many ways to prevent cervical cancer. These include:
- Taking the HPV vaccine
- Having routine Pap tests
- Practicing safe sex
- Stop smoking
After a cervical cancer diagnosis, the doctor can provide the patient with several treatment options. The doctor will choose the best treatment option based on the stage of cervical cancer and other health issues the patient may have. Treatment options include:
- Surgery in the early stage to either cut away the cancerous part of the cervix, remove the cervix, or remove the cervix and uterus
- External, internal, or external/internal radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy in the early stage or a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy in the advanced stage
- Targeted drug treatments in combination with chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy in the advanced stage
- Palliative care for pain relief
Likely Prognosis of Cervical Cancer
The prognosis for cervical cancer varies based on the stage of cancer. Here are the approximate 5-year survival rates at the different stages of cervical cancer according to the University of Kansas Cancer Center:
- Stage 1: 92%
- Stage 2: 61%
- Stage 3A: 35%
- Stage 3B: 32%
- Stage 4: 16.8%
Cervical cancer was a common cause of cancer death in women. Early detection with the Pap test plus the HPV vaccine has helped decrease the death rate from this disease. Early detection is the key to successfully treating cervical cancer.