It is a kind of cancer that happens in cells of the cervix. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus, which is connected to the vagina. Various strains of HPV (human papillomavirus). Play a major role in causing most cervical cancer. HPV is a common infection that passes through sexual contact. When exposed to HPV, the immune system of the body can typically prevent the virus from doing harm. However, in some women the virus survives for years. It contributes to the process by which a cell becomes cancerous.

SYMPTOMS

Symptoms and signs of more advanced cervical cancer:

• Longer and heavier menstrual bleeding than usual.
• Between periods and after menopause, there is vaginal bleeding after intercourse.
• Vaginal discharge increases, that may be heavy and have a foul odor.
• Feel lots of pain during sexual intercourse.
• After menopause, bleeding.
• Unexplained pelvic and back pain.

When you have to see a doctor:

• If you have any symptoms that worry you, just make an appointment.

CAUSES

• When healthy cells in the cervix develop changes in their DNA, cervical cancer begins. A DNA cell has instructions that can tell a cell what you have to do. All the changes tell the cell to multiply quickly. When healthy cells die as a part of their natural life cycle, they continue to live. Cells might form a mass that is called a tumor. The cells can destroy healthy body tissue. In time, cells can break down and spread to other parts of the body.

Types of CERVICAL CANCER

It is based on the cell in which cancer begins.

The main types of cervical cancers are:

• Squamous cell Carcinoma: Most cervical cancers are squamous cell carcinomas. This type of cervical cancer begins in a thin, flat cell, which is called a squamous cell, the outer part of the cervix is lined by the squamous cell.
• Adenocarcinoma: This type of cervical cancer begins in the gland cells (column-shaped) that line the cancer. Most of the time, both types of cells are involved in cervical cancer. Sometimes cancer occurs in other cells in the cervix (very rarely).

Major Risk Factor

Risk factors include the following for cervical cancer:

• Multiple Sexual Partners: The chances of getting HPV also depend on the number of your sexual partners. The more sexual partners you have, the greater your chances of contracting HPV.
• Early Sexual Activity: Having sex at an early age can increase your risk of HPV.
• Smoking: Smoking increases the risk of having cervical cancer. When a smoker is infected by HPV, the infections tend to last longer and have a small chance of going away. HPV causes lots of cervical cancers.
• Weak Immune System: if your immune system is weakened by another health condition and if you have HPV, then you are more likely to develop cervical cancer.
• Other Sexually Transmitted Infections: having other STIs (sexually transmitted infections) can increase the risk of HPV and lead to cervical cancer. Other STIs, including herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV/AIDS, can increase the risk.

TREATMENT METHOD

• Surgery is not usually an option when the cancer has spread beyond the cervix.
• Advanced cancer can also be referred to as an invasive cancer because it occupies other areas of the body. That type of cancer requires more extensive treatment, which may typically include either radiotherapy or a combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
• Palliative therapy is administered to relieve symptoms and also improve the quality of life in the later stages of cancer.

TEST REQUIRED

Tests that are required before the procedure:

• PAP TEST
• HPV TEST
• PUNCH BIOPSY

PREVENTIONS

Reducing the risk factors for cervical cancer:

• HPV Vaccine: Ask your health care team expert if an HPV vaccine is the right choice for you. Receiving a vaccination against HPV to prevent HPV infection may reduce the risk of cervical cancer and other HPV-related cancers.
• Routine PAP test: most medical organizations suggest beginning the routine PAP test at the age of 21 and repeating it every few years. A PAP test can detect conditions of the cervix; these conditions can be monitored and treated in order to prevent cervical cancer.
• Don’t Smoke: If you never smoke,  don’t start it. And if you do smoke, try to reduce it and talk to a health care professional about ways to help you quit. It can decrease the rate of cervical cancer.
• Practice Safe Sex: You can reduce the rate and risk of having cervical cancer by taking measures to prevent sexually transmitted infections. It may include using a condom every time you have sex and limiting the number of sexual partners you have.

TREATMENT DURATION

The patient would have to stay in the hospital for three to five days.