One of the serious health issues that is peculiar to the female gender is cervical cancer. Of course it affects the cervix, and that's why it is a woman-related type of health problem.
Cervical cancer basically begins with the cervix, which is the hollow cylinder connecting the lower part of a woman's uterus to her vagina. Most times, cervical cancer starts in the cell found on the surface of the cervix. It can then spread to other parts of the body; this process is medically known as metastasizing.
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When it spreads, it affects the liver, lungs, vagina, rectum, and bladder. Several cases of cervical cancer come as a result of an infection with human papillomavirus (HPV).
The growth of cervical cancer happens gradually; this makes it possible for it to be discovered before it begins to cause severe problems. Thankfully, we have improved screening through pap tests to thank for the reduced number of deaths experienced as a result of this serious health issue.
Cervical cancer can exist in various forms, maybe not so much, basically in three forms:
We have adenocarcinoma, which forms in the cell responsible for the production of mucus; squamous cell carcinoma, which forms in the lining of the cervix; and mixed carcinoma, which has the combined features of the two types.
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Cervical cancer starts with an unusual tissue change and different types of HPV causing skin warts, genital warts, and other types of skin disorders. Most situations of HPV clear up on its own, but the infection could persist and lead to cervical cancer.
There are risk factors for cervical cancer, things that put you at a higher chance of getting the disease compared to other women;
When the immune system is weak and the body is unable to fight infection.
Women who take birth control pills, especially when they have been consumed for longer than five years.
Women who smoke cigarettes.
Women with a sexually transmitted disease (STD).
Women who have had three or more pregnancies.
Women who have not been vaccinated against HPV.
Low-income earners who are not privy to enjoy constant medical checkups.
An obese woman who makes it difficult for cervical cancer to be diagnosed.
The symptoms of cervical cancer are not noticeable on time until time is far spent, but early signs often come in the form of unusual viganal bleeding, discharge that is watery, bloody, or has a strong odor, and pain during sex is also a factor.
After the spread of the cancer, cases of pelvic pain, kidney failure, difficult urination, swollen legs, back pain, stomach pain, fatigue, weight loss due to loss of appetite, and bone pain are symptoms that would be noticed.
It is safe to easily detect and treat cervical cancer; this way, life-threatening complications can be avoided. Complications cause kidney damage, pain, blood clots, bowel and bladder changes, fertility challenges, and bleeding.
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Cervical cancer is in four main stages, and each stage comes with its own substages. The main stages of cervical cancer come in these forms:
Stage 1 cancer is found only at the neck of the cervix and hasn't spread to the deep parts of your cervical tissue.
Stage II cancer has spread beyond the cervix and uterus but has not spread yet to the pelvic wall or lower vagina.
Stage III cancer has spread to the lower part of the vagina and may have spread to the pelvic wall, uterus, and close by lymph nodes.
Stage IV cancer has the cancer already spread to the bladder, rectum, or other body parts like the lungs or bones. An appropriate medical checkup will help the patient understand the stage of cancer she is in.
Several factors are attached to treating cervical cancer: the age of the patient, the stage of the disease, and if the patient is interested in having children in the future are to be considered greatly.
Some people use alternative treatment options like herbs, acupuncture, diet, and other treatment options; it is best to speak with your healthcare professional before going for any of these treatment options.
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There are medical options that can be used to treat cancer;
Radiation therapy, where an energy beam is used to kill cancer cells on the cervix, and there are two types of radiation therapy: external beam radiation therapy and brachytherapy.
Chemotherapy is another treatment option, where drugs are injected into the veins or taken through the mouth to kill cancer cells. There are several drugs that can be used for chemotherapy, and they can be combined.
Surgery can be used to treat cancer too; this procedure involves the removal of the cancerous tissues when the cancer is still in its early stage.
Laser surgery involves the use of a laser beam to burn off cancer cells.
Cryosurgery freezes these cancer cells, eventually destroying them.
Trachelectony involves taking out the cervix and upper part of the vagina but not the uterus.
Hysterectomy surgery would involve the removal of the uterus and cervix.
Pelvic exenteration is the same as hysterectomy but also has to do with the vagina, bladder, rectum, and even part of the colon, depending on the areas where the cancer has spread.
There are periods when combined treatments are used, especially when there was a previously healed cancer that has now resurfaced. Like I mentioned earlier, a consistent checkup is important to eradicate the complications and severity of cervical cancer as well as other serious health issues.
For Further Studies
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK431093/
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12216-cervical-cancer
https://www.cancer.gov/types/cervical/causes-risk-prevention
https://www.healthline.com/health/cervical-cancer
https://www.cancer.gov/types/cervical/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cervical-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20352501
https://www.webmd.com/cancer/cervical-cancer/cervical-cancer
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cervical-cancer
Hi, I am Tobi, a writer, speaker, relationship blogger, and lover of good music. I love making friends and learning from people. If you want to hear me speak about relationships and general life issues, you can find my YouTube channel where you can watch any episode for free, please do not forget to subscribe, friends. I sincerely appreciate every love I get from here, Kindly do well to keep them coming.