Cervical Cancer

Cervical Cancer Vaccine

2010-01-08T07:24:00.000-08:00

Cervical cancer is a malignant cancer of the cervix. Cervical cancer is cancer that starts in the cervix, the lower part of the uterus (womb) that opens at the top. The upper part, or body, of the uterus, is where a fetus grows. The cervix connects the body of the uterus to the (birth canal). The part of the cervix closest to the body of the uterus is called the endocervix.. Cancer of the cervix (also known as cervical cancer) begins in the lining of the cervix. Cervical cancers do not form suddenly. Normal cervical cells gradually develop pre-cancerous changes that turn into cancer. Cervical cancer is caused by several types of a virus called human papillomaviruses (HPV). The virus spreads through contact. Most women's bodies are able to fight HPV infection. Cervical cancer occurs when abnormal cells on the cervix grow out of control. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that opens. Cervical cancer can often be cured when it’s found early. Cervical cancer is a carcinoma, typically composed of squamous cells, and is similar in some respects to squamous cell cancers of the head and neck and anus.

All three of these diseases may be associated with human papillomavirus infection. The remaining 10% to 20% of cervical cancers are adenocarcinomas. Adenocarcinomas are becoming more common in women born in the last 20 to 30 years. Cervical adenocarcinoma develops from the mucus-producing gland cells of the endocervix. Most (80-90%) invasive cervical cancer develops in flat, scaly surface cells that line the cervix (called squamous cell carcinomas). Approximately 10-15% of cases develop in glandular surface cells (called adenocarcinomas). Symptoms of cervical cancer may include is pain during discharge that is tinged with blood and bleeding from that is not normal, or a change in your menstrual cycle. Cervical cancer is staged by the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging system, which is based on clinical examination, rather than surgical findings. Cervical cancer is found only in women. Cervical cancers usually affect women of middle age or older, but it may be diagnosed in any reproductive-aged woman.

Cervical cancer that is caught early can usually be cured. Microinvasive cancer (stage IA) is usually treated by hysterectomy (removal of the whole uterus). Vaccines have been developed that can protect women from HPV infections. A vaccine that offers protection from the virus responsible for most cases of cervical cancer is the latest addition to the official childhood immunization schedule. The cervical cancer vaccine currently available in Australia is called Gardasil. This vaccine prevents infection with HPV types 16, 18, 6 and 11. HPV 16 and 18 are responsible for the majority (70% internationally; 80% in Australia) of cervical cancers. Cervical cancer strikes more than 10,000 U.S. women each year, killing more than 3,700. The vaccine appears to be virtually 100 percent effective against two of the most common cancer-causing HPV strains. A vaccine for girls and young women protects against the four types of HPV that cause most cervical cancers. Practicing safe (using condoms) also reduces your risk of HPV.

Cervical Cancer Treatment Tips

1. Surgery treats the cancer in the cervix and the area close to the tumor.

2. Radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy) uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells.

3. Chemotherapy uses anticancer drugs to kill cancer cells.

4. Anticancer drugs for cervical cancer are usually given through a vein.

5. Electrosurgery, cryosurgery, podophyllum, and trichloroacetic acid are methods used to remove HPV in mucosal tissue.

6. A vaccine that offers protection from the virus responsible for most cases of cervical cancer

7. Practicing safe (using condoms) also reduces your risk of HPV and STD diseases

8. Avoid Cigarette smoking is associated with an increased risk of cervical cancer.

Juliet Cohen writes articles on diseases and conditions and women health care.

2009-12-08T03:03:00.000-08:00

HOW can i prevent cervical cancer ?

Get the HPV vaccine. It protects against the types of HPV that most often cause cervical, vaginal and vulvar cancers.
See your doctor regularly for a Pap Test.
Follow up with your doctor if your test results are not normal.
Don't smoke
Use condoms during sex.*
Limit your number of sexual partners.

* HPV infection can occur in both male and female genital areas. While the effect of condoms in preventing HPV infection is unknown, condom use has been associated with a lower rate of cervical cancer.

WHAT tests can prevent or detect cervical cancer early ?
There are two test that can help prevent cervical cancer or find it early:

The Pap Test (Pap Smear) looks for precancers or cell changes on the cervix that might become cervical cancer if not treated.
The HPV Test looks for the virus that cause these cell changes seen at the Pap Test. Talk with your doctor about whether the HPV Test is right for you.

Cervical cancer is the easiest female cancer to prevent, with regular screening tests and follow-up. It is also highly curable when found and treated early.

2009-12-06T20:39:00.000-08:00

WHAT causes cervical cancer ?
Almost all cervical cancer are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) - a common virus that can be passed from one person to another during sex.
HPV types are often referred to as "low-risk" (wart-causing) or "high-risk" (cancer causing). The types of HPV that can cause genital warts are not the same as the types that can cause cancer.
At least half of sexually active people will have HPV at some point in their lives but few will get cervical cancer. Usually, the body's immune system gets rid of the HPV infection naturally within two years.

WHAT raises a woman's chance of getting cervical cancer ?

Human papillomavirus (HPV).
Not having regular Pap Tests.
Not following up with your doctor if you had a Pap Test result that is not normal.
Smoking.
Having HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, or another condition that makes it hard for your body to fight off health problems.

WHAT are the symptoms ?
Early cervical cancer does not usually cause signs and symptoms. Check immediately with a doctor if you have bleeding of discharge from the vagina that is not normal for you, e.g bleeding after sex.

Cervical Cancer

2009-12-05T03:58:00.000-08:00

WHAT is cervical cancer ?
Cancer is a disease in which cells in the body grow out of control. When cancer in the cervix it is called cervical cancer.
The cervix is the lower, narrow end of the uterus. Also known as the womb, the uterus is where a baby grows when a woman is pregnant. The cervix connects the upper part of the uterus to the vagina (the birth canal).

WHO gets cervical cancer ?
All women are at risk for cervical cancer, especially those over the age of 30.
Every year, over 750 out of 1500 Malaysian women who are diagnosed with cervical cancer die because of late diagnosis.
It is important to get tested for cervical cancer because 6 out 10 cervical cancer occur in women who have never received a Pap test or have not been tested in the past five years.