Cervical cancer

What Is Cervical cancer?

The cervix area of a female’s body is located between the vaginal area and uterus. If the cells associated with the cervix multiply rapidly as well as become abnormal, then cervical cancer may develop. This particular cancer can become a threat to life if it gets undetected or untreated.

A particular type of virus that is responsible for most of the cases associated with Cervical cancer is known as HPV (Human Papilloma Virus). The doctor can screen for the particular virus as well as for pre-cancerous cells. Furthermore, he/she can suggest specific treatments in order to prevent this cancer from developing. Cervical cancer can be diagnosed at a very initial stage through a Pap test.

Cervical cancer can be of two types- squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. They can be distinguished by their cells appearance under a microscope. These two types of cervical cancer are described as follows:

• Squamous cell carcinomas: This type of cervical cancer develops in the flat and thin cells that are located in the bottom line of the cervix. 80 to 90 percent of cervical cancers are squamous cell carcinomas.
• Adenocarcinomas: This type of cervical cancer is involved with the glandular cells, lining the cervix’s upper portion. Adenocarcinomas cover 10 to 20 percent of total cervical cancers.

In some cases, both types of cells can be responsible for cervical cancer. Some other type of cancer can also develop in the cervix, but these cases are rare.

What Are The Symptoms Of Cervical cancer?

In most of the cases, cervical cancer is not associated with the noticeable signs and symptoms in the initial stages of this disease. Although, routine Pap screening is very important in order to search in cervix area’s abnormal cells so that they can be properly monitored as well as treated as soon as possible. Most of the women are generally advised to go through a Pap test starting at age 21. Till now, Pap test is one of the most effective and reliable cancer screening procedures available. The cervical cancer screening procedures may not be always 100 percent accurate.

Some common cervical cancer’s symptoms are as follows:

• Vaginal Bleeding: Patients, who are suffering from cervical cancer, can experience bleeding after sexual intercourse or between periods or after menopause.
• Unusual Vaginal Discharge: A watery, foul-smelling, and pink-colored discharge is regarded as a very common symptom.
• Pelvic Pain: Patients can experience pain during intercourse as well as in other times. This signifies that the cervix is developing some abnormal changes.
• All of these above-specified symptoms must be discussed with the doctor.
• Cervical cancer can spread (metastasize) across the pelvis as well as to the lymph nodes or some other parts in the body. Some symptoms, associated with advanced cervical cancer, are as follows:
• Weight loss.
• Leg pain or swelling.
• Leakage of urine or faeces from the vagina.
• Bone fractures, back pain, fatigue.

What Are The Causes Of Cervical cancer?

Uncontrolled cell division, as well as the growth of the abnormal cells, is responsible for developing cancer. Most of the cells in the body are associated with a set of specific lifespan. So, after their death, a new set of cells are produced in order to replace them. Abnormal cells are involved with two problems:

• These cells don’t die.
• They are continuously dividing into a large number of cells.

This uncontrolled cell division develops an excessive number of cells that result in a lump formation; it is also called a tumour. It is not confirmed till now why cancerous cells develop. But, there are some risk factors that are responsible for increasing the cervical cancer development risks. These risk factors are as follows:

• HPV (Human Papillomavirus): It is a kind of sexually transmitted virus. There are approx 100 different types of HPVs and among them at least 13 species can cause cervical cancer.
• Having many sexual partners as well as becoming sexually active at an early stage: The cervical cancer-developing HPV types are always transmitted through a sexual contact by an infected person. Women, who are associated with various sexual partners, are generally involved with a higher risk of developing HPV infection and as a result, cervical cancer development risk is getting increased on them.
• Smoking: Smoking can enhance the risk of forming many cancers and cervical cancer is one of them.
• Poor Immune System: People with AIDS are associated with the poorer immune system, and so, they can develop cervical cancer easily.
• Mental Stress for a Long Period: Women, who experience a long term mental stress, may be less able in order to fight against HPV.
• Young Age Birth Giver: Women, who give birth prior to the age of 17 are associated with a higher risk of developing cervical cancer.
• Multiple Pregnancies: Women, who have given birth to at least three children in the several pregnancies, can develop cervical cancer more likely than the women, who have never conceived.
• Contraceptive Pill: Long-time use of some types of contraceptive pills can increase the risk of developing cervical cancer a little bit.
• Other Types of STD (Sexually Transmitted Diseases): Women who have become infected with Gonorrhoea, Chlamydia, or Syphilis are associated with the higher risks of cervical Cancer.
• Socioeconomic Status: As per the studies, women associated with the deprived areas, are involved with higher rates of cervical cancer.

What Are The Things One Should Do To Manage Cervical cancer?

To protect oneself from cervical cancers, following things can be done after consulting with the doctor:

• Women should practice safe sex: As per studies, women, who have a number of sexual partners, are associated with the higher risks of developing HPV as well as cervical cancer. So, women should be involved with safe sex.
• Get Vaccinated: Some available vaccines can give protection against some HPV infections. Two vaccines that give protection against most cervical cancers-causing HPV are Gardasil and Cervarix. 

What Are The Things One Should Avoid To Manage Cervical cancer?

To protect oneself from Cervical cancers, following things should not be done after consulting with the Doctor:

• Do not do copulate without Condoms: Condoms can give some sort of protection against the HPV, but they don’t prevent the infection completely. Men, who use condoms, they are hardly associated with HPV and thereby to pass it on their partners.
• Do not Smoke: Smoking cigarettes can enhance the risk of developing cervical cancer. According to various studies, different tobacco by-products can damage the cervix cells’ DNA and as a result, cervical cancer may develop.

What Are The Best Foods For Cervical cancer?

Following foods can be consumed after consulting with the Doctor:

• Low Glycemic Foods: Choose foods that are associated with slow digestion capabilities, such as most of the non-starchy vegetables, fruits, and legumes. They help to maintain a stable blood glucose levels as well as a low GI (Glycemic Index) rating. Low GI rating foods are helpful in preventing cervical cancer.
• Foods with I3C: Cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale, and cauliflower are able to prevent various cancers, including cervical cancer. The cruciferous vegetables are associated with I3C (indole-3-carbinols). This particular substance is involved with the cancer-fighting properties.
• Curcumin: Curcumin is a phytochemical that can help in fighting against cervical cancer as well as saving the body from the HPV (Human Papilloma Virus), the main cause of cervical cancer.Turmeric is rich in curcumin, so it is associated with a bright yellow colour.
• Ellagic Acid: Ellagic Acid is one of the strongest weapons in the battle against cervical cancer. Raspberries are considered as the best dietary source of the ellagic acid. Other sources of ellagic acid are blackberries, pomegranate fruit, cloudberries, pecans, wild strawberries, walnuts, etc.

What Are The Worst Foods For Cervical cancer?

Following foods should not be consumed after consulting with the Doctor:

• Excess Protein: An enzyme called pancreatin is considered as a protecting agent against cervical cancer in the body. Foods that are associated with high level of protein keep this essential pancreatic enzyme busy in digesting protein, that means the particular enzyme gets a little time for fighting Cervical cancer. So, high-protein foods such as Greek yoghurt, whey protein, steak, eggs, cottage cheese, etc. should be taken in a moderate amount.
• Foods Containing Nitrates: Nitrates are natural substances that are found in the surface water, air, soil, plants, and ground water. Processed and cured meats that are associated with deep red colour are rich in nitrates. After consuming nitrates, it converts into nitrites and then nitrosamines in the body. The nitrosamines can cause cervical cancer.

What Are The Medicines For Cervical cancer?

What Are The Tips To Manage Cervical cancer?

Routine Pap tests are very important in order to diagnose cervical cancer.