What is Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is malignant neoplasm of

the cervix uteri or cervical area. It may
present with vaginal bleeding but symptoms
may be absent until the cancer is in its
advanced stages. Treatment consists
of surgery (including local excision) in early
stages and chemotherapy and
radiotherapy in advanced stages of the
disease.
Illustration of the cancerous area
 Symptoms
• The early stages of cervical cancer may be
completely asymptomatic. Vaginal Bleeding, contact
bleeding or (rarely) a vaginal mass may indicate the
presence of malignancy. Also, moderate pain during
sexual intercourse and vaginal discharge are symptoms
of cervical cancer. In advanced
disease, metastases may be present in
the abdomen, lungs or elsewhere.
• Symptoms of advanced cervical cancer may include:
loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue, pelvic pain, back
pain, leg pain, single swollen leg, heavy bleeding from
the vagina, leaking of urine or feces from the vagina, and
bone fractures.
 Prevention
• Awareness: according to recent studies, it is revealed that lesser
than 40% women are aware of Cervical Cancer, while doctors claim
that early diagnosis can prevent complications.
• Screening: The widespread introduction of the Pap smear test for
cervical cancer screening has been credited with dramatically
reducing the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer in developed
countries. Abnormal Pap smear results may suggest the presence
of potentially premalignant changes in the cervix before a cancer
has developed, allowing examination and possible preventive
treatment. Recommendations for how often a Pap smear should be
done vary from once a year to once every five years.
• Vaccination: There are drugs available in the market which help
against Cervical Cancer, namely: Gardasil & Cervarix, however,
while the former is 98% effective the later follows closely with a 92%
effectiveness.
 Prevention
• Condoms: Condoms offer some protection against cervical cancer.
Evidence on whether condoms protect against HPV infection is
mixed, but they do provide protection against genital warts and the
precursors to cervical cancer.
• Smoking Avoidance: Carcinogens from tobacco increase the risk
for many cancer types, including cervical cancer, and women who
smoke have about double the chance of a non-smoker to develop
cervical cancer.
• Nutrition: Higher levels of vegetable consumption were associated
with a 54% decrease risk of HPV persistence. Consumption of
papaya at least once a week was inversely associated with
persistent HPV infection. Vitamins A,C & E also aid in reducing risks
leading to Cervical Cancer. Folic Acid & Carotenoids to reduce the
risk to a certain extent