CERVICAL CANCER

Cervical cancer is a cancer arising from the cervix. Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers which can lead to death.

The cervix is part of a woman's reproductive system. The cervix is the lower end of the uterus (womb), the place where a baby grows during pregnancy.
The cervix is the part that connects the uterus to the vagina. It is the passage way for blood during menstrual periods. It produces mucus which helps for easy passage of sperm through the vagina. It is also the part that keeps the baby in the womb and prevents it from falling off before childbirth.

             WHY YOU MOST NEED TO BE CAREFUL

Cervical cancer cells can spread by breaking away from the cervical tumor. These cells can spread through the blood vessels to the lungs, liver, or bones, and grow to form new tumors that may damage these organs/tissues.

                  CAUSES AND RISK FACTORS

Cervical cancer is caused by a number of factors, some of which are part of our lifestyles. A woman is at higher risk of contracting cervical cancer if exposed to any of the following factors:

• Infection with the Human papilloma virus (HPV): This is the greatest risk factor for cervical cancer. The HPV is a common virus that can be passed from one person to another during sex. More than half of women by the age of 50 have been exposed to HPV, but most HPV infections clear up on their own.

• Smoking: Smoking can increase the risk in someone already affected by the HPV.

• Having HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) or another condition that makes it hard for your body to fight off health problems.

• Using birth control pills for a long time (five or more years).

• Having given birth to three or more children.

• Having several sexual partners.

Not all of the causes of cervical cancer are known yet, hence, the need for women to be really more careful..

                      SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

A woman affected by cervical cancer is likely to display the following symptoms:

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding. Bleeding that occurs between or after regular menstrual periods.

• Menstrual periods that last longer and are heavier than before.

• Bleeding after going through menopause.

• Pelvic pain.

• Pain and bleeding during sexual intercourse.

Other symptoms which may also likely show up include:

• Loss of appetite.

• Weight loss.

• Fatigue.

• Back pain.

• Leg pain.

• Swollen legs.

• Heavy bleeding from the vagina.

• Bone fractures.

• Leakage of urine or faeces from the vagina.

As a woman, once you begin to experience any of the above symptoms, quickly do yourself good by visiting your doctor immediately for necessary medical attention.

                                   PREVENTION

• First of all, practicing safe sex, avoiding having multiple sex partners.

• A woman's risk of cervical cancer can be reduced by getting regular cervical cancer screening tests.

• Vaccination: There are two HPV vaccines (Gardasil and Cervarix) which reduce the risk of cancerous or precancerous changes of the cervix. Women are advised to keep going for regular cervical cancer screening tests, even after getting the vaccines. Vaccines only help reduce a person's risk of getting an infection, they don't prevent such infections.

• Nutrition: Taking diets rich in Vitamin A, B12, C, and E. These vitamins are rich in anti-oxidants which help prevents the growth of cancerous cells.

Also, the use of condoms is believed to offer some protection (but not fully certified).

NOTE: Not all growths around the cervix are cancerous. Some growths on the cervix can be benign (not cancer). They are rarely a threat to life, and they don't invade the tissues around them. But how do you know which is which, cancerous or not? Regular tests would show you that.

References:
Medicinement
Wikipedia
CDC