Cervical Cancer – A Leading Health Issue

The highest risk of getting this cancer is borne by women over the age of 35, ones who have had sex before they were 15 and one with HIV. Having multiple sexual contacts or being in a relationship with a man who has had various sexual links also land into the same category.

Besides the HPV being the main culprit, research shows that smoking too, has been linked in the development of cervical cancer.

History

Cervical Cancer has been around the block since around the 1940’s. It was a major cause of death among women of childbearing age in the United States. However, with the introduction of the Papanicolaou (Pap) smear – a test to govern cellular irregularities, the ill-treatment via Cervical Cancer dropped intensely.

We could argue that new discoveries and scientific achievements are responsible in finding out remedies for various such diseases. But in allowing us to reach a higher pedestal of growth, our new way of living maybe jeopardizing our existence.

Amidst all this talk about science being responsible to reduce the number of deaths caused by Cervical Cancer; lets study this leading health issue briefly so as to educate more and more women about the same and uproot it even further.

Causes

Cervical cancer occurs when abnormal cells on the cervixgrow out of control. The cervix is situated at the lower part of the uterus that leads into the vagina. Anomalous cervical cell vagaries rarely cause symptoms. But you may have symptoms if those cell changes develop into cervical cancer.

Symptoms

When bleeding from the vagina is not normal, or there is a substantial a change in your menstrual cycle that you can’t explain, this could be one of the first symptoms. Bleeding while unusual activities, such as during sex or when you put in a diaphragm. Irrelevant pain during sex is also a sign. Lastly, vaginal discharge mixed with blood is something you should be concerned about.

Please note that, these symptoms alone do not give you a guaranteed diagnosis of being affected. What you need to follow is a habitual pelvic check up.  Along with which is necessary a regular Pap Test.

Diagnosis

During a Pap test, the doctor scrapes a trivial sample of cells from the superficialportion of the cervix to look for cell changes. If a Pap test displays abnormal cell changes, your doctor may do addedexaminations to look for precancerous or cancer cells on your cervix.

Besides the Pap test, there are HPV vaccines named Cervarix and Gardasil that could reduce the risk of precancerous or cancerous growthconsiderably.The usage of condoms for some form of protection and regular intake of Vitamin A, B12, C and E could associate your well being slightly away from cervical cancerous cells.

The treatment for most stages of cervical cancer includes surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Depending on how much the cancer has grown makes you go through one or more of these treatments.

Cervical Cancercan be prevented or cured at an early stage.Regular check-ups, practicing safer sex, thoughtful eating and positive thinking lead you to a healthy and cancer free life.