Cervical Cancer Causes, Diagnosis and Symptom and Prevention

Cervical Cancer is a type of cancer that can be found in the cells of the cervix which is part of female reproductive organs. Cervical cancer is the abnormal cells growth on the cervix. Cervix is located at the lower section of the uterus that is connected to the vagina.

Cervical cancer is one of the most common human Papillomavirus(HPV). HPV is the most common viral infection that attacks reproductive system.

According WHO:
In 2012, approximately 270,000 women died from cervical cancer, more than 85% of these deaths occurring in the low and middle income developing countries. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women living in less developed countries with an estimated 445,000 new cases in 2012(85 percentage of the new cases worldwide).source

Human Papillomavirus can be contracted through sexual contact. That is, having sex with a victim of HPV. When the female body system come in contact with the virus, the immune system quickly responds to its attack, thereby reducing its power and activities in the body from causing harm to the body. For weak immune system, it will attack and survive in the body for years, it then attacks the cervical cells on the surface of the cervix and gradually it will be turning to cancer. Therefore, cervical cancer begins to develop.

Symptoms

At every stages of cancers, there are notable symptoms that usually manifested. In the case of cervical cancer, it seldomly show symptoms. The following are the symptoms you will noticed:

1. Feelings of pain during sexual intercourse
2. Abnormal discharge from vaginal.
3. Bad odour coming out of the vagina, and also vagina discomfort.
4. Abnormal vaginal bleeding during and after having sex.
5. Swollen of one of the legs.
6. Loss of appetite.

Risk Factors that can contribute to the development of cervical cancer

1. Smoking of cigarette or tobacco uses.
2. Having more than one sexual partners.
3. Having sex at early age will increase the chance of HPV.
4. Weak immune system. If your body defence mechanism is not strong or has been attacked by other viral infection.
5. Other viral infections like HIV, gonorrhea among others.

Prevention

1. Pap Tests: pap test can help detect change in cervical cells that can later leads to cancer. Using pap test regularly will expose any changes in cervical cell before it will lead to cancer. If you detect any changes like pain, please do visit your doctor to complain about it fro proper diagnosis and treatment.

2. Get HPV Vaccination
   Presently, there are two HPV vaccines that can protect and boost your immune system against types of HPV that can cause cancer, like HPV 16 and 18. So if you are 9 to 26 years old, visit nearby clinic to get vaccinated against HPV.

3. Avoid unprotected sexual intercourse, always use condoms. Also, if you have multiple sex partner reduce them to minimum.

Treatments

1. Through Chemotherapy
2. Radiation therapy
3. Surgery, i.e hysterectomy.
   Note: if hysterectomy is to be performed on a victim, such person cannot bear children again. Always do regular check up to know the status of your health.

References for further study

Human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer
Cervical Cancer - Topic Overview
Cervical cancer
Thanks to @air-clinic for creating this writing contest.
image: source