What Is Cervical Cancer

Published on May 07 2010, in the categories: Types

Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that affects women; more specifically, it affects the cervix, which is a part of the reproductive apparatus, localized in the pelvian zone. The cervix is the lower part of the womb, connected to the upper end of the vagina and it has a role in producing mucus that facilitates the flow of seminal liquid produced by man into the uterus, and contracts during pregnancy. The cervix is exposed to both malignant and benign tumors, but whereas benign tumors do not expand in order to affect the tissue around them, the malignant ones (the cancer) do spread in the tissues of other parts of the body. The general cause of cervical cancer is identified as the human papilloma virus (HPV - there are approximately 100 types of this virus, and more than 30 are transmitted sexually). Some infections with HPV do go away, but if they do not clear in time, they can transform in precancerous infections, therefore capable of producing cervical cancer.

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Factors that stimulate the apparition of cervical cancer include:
- smoking: a slight increase of the risk of cervical cancer
- avoidance of regular Pap tests: Pap tests help find abnormal cells and determine whether they are dangerous or not, so women who seldom or never make Paptests are more exposed to developing cervical cancer
- reduced capacity of the immune system, originating in HIV or drug consumption, increasing the danger of HPV infection
- frequency and diversity of sexual contacts: women who have frequent sexual contacts and change partners frequently have more chances of contacting a HPV infection, as well as women who have contacts with men that had many sexual partners
- use of birth control pills for a certain period of time: the risk of cervical cancer is slightly increased, but decreases when women stop using them.
- giving birth to many children: five or more children can increase the risk of cancer at women with HPV infections
Aside from benign tumors, other changes that cervical cells may bear (and these changes are perfectly normal) are caused by:
- infections
- hormonal changes that take place during menopause or pregnancy
- inflammations of the cervical area
One characteristic of cervical cancer is that it cannot be detected at women during its early stages. Symptoms appear when the cancer has evolved, and they include:
- unusual vaginal bleeding, for example between normal menstruation periods or prolonged and heavier menstrual bleedings, or after having sexual intercourse, or after menopause
- unpleasant sensations such as pelvic pain or pain during sexual intercourse
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The Pap exam, a non-painful method through which a group of cells are scraped from the cervix and then analyzed, is the main method of detecting potential cervical cancer and doctors recommend frequent Pap tests.
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Other methods include: colposcopy (a colposcope consisting of a lens and a light is used to visualize the cervix tissue, without being introduced in the vagina) and bioscopy (harvesting and analyzing tissue from the cervix).

Types Of Cervical Cancer

Published on Mar 22 2010, in the categories: Types

Human Papillomavirus: It starts with ...

The human papillomavirus, a virus that causes including cancer of the cervix. Each year, this virus is responsible for 667 new cancers. A woman on an average day dies of cancer of the cervix in western Europe.
Human Papillomavirus: All different in the family
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There are different types of HPV (human papillomavirus). We already know 120 but not all the same consequences.

Some viruses causing human papillomavirus, for example, skin warts. Others are causing cervical cancer or other cancers (including cancer of the anus, penis, vagina, vulva and the area of the head and neck) or cause genital warts. Almost no one escapes these viruses because they chose the human body as a host, but in most (90%), the body removes himself from the human papilloma virus.
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If you had sex with your boyfriend, you can be infected by the virus. Do not worry! We all have an immune system capable of eliminating the virus after a while. But its elimination is not always perfect ...
Human Papillomavirus

Viruses are normally destroyed and disposed of by your body. It is also the case for HPV. If viruses persist in your body, but can disrupt cellular metabolism at the point of causing lesions on the infected cell layer. These lesions can then lead to cancer, but this is not always the case. Less than 1% of women develop cancer of the cervix.
Human Papillomavirus: Protecting Yourself
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* 1. There is a vaccine against human papillomavirus, recommended by the Board of Health.
* 2. The smears are a necessity.
* 3. Protect yourself, use a condom.
* 4. If you wish to discontinue condom application screening for STDs with your doctor.

Screening for cervical cancer of the uterus

If you're sexually active, you should have a Pap test (or vaginal cytology) and a pelvic exam every 1 to 3 years depending on the screening in place in your province. If you have had a hysterectomy, it is possible that you still have to Pap test, your doctor will tell you if this is necessary or not. Even if you stop having sex, it is important to continue to take tests regularly.

The most important risk factor that can lead to the development of cancer of the cervix is infection with human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV spreads through skin contact (skin to skin) in the genital area and may not appear until years after exposure. Using a condom during sex helps to reduce the risk of contracting the virus, but condoms do not protect only partly because it does not cover the entire genital area.

The HPV vaccine licensed in many countries to prevent infection by HPV should be considered as a complement to measures of screening for cervical cancer of the uterus, and not as a substitute.