Cervical Cancer
Cancer that affects the cervix, the lower part of the uterus (the organ connecting the uterus and the vagina) is known as cervical cancer. This is generally a slow growing cancer and pre- malignant.
Symptoms of Cervical Cancer
The major symptoms could include bleeding between menstrual cycles, unusual discharge, painful menstruation and bleeding after intercourse.
Risk factors for cervical cancer
The common risk factors include:
Early detection of cervical cancer is very important, as the cure rates are much higher (90-100%) if the cancer is diagnosed on time. The stage at which the cancer is detected makes a great difference to cure rates.
As a part of early detection, women should get their first pap smear done when they become sexually active (or by age 18) A Pap Smear is a screening test used to determine abnormal cervical changes. A doctor does this by very gently rubbing the cervix (mouth of the uterus) with a soft brush, to obtain sample cells. If any abnormality is found then a Colposcopy test is performed. Colposcopy is a diagnostic test performed using a lighted instrument that magnifies the cervix. This allows the doctor to detect abnormal cervical changes. Pap smear screenings for cervical cancer have been associated with a reduction in cervical cancer incidence and death from the disease.
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Symptoms of Cervical Cancer
The major symptoms could include bleeding between menstrual cycles, unusual discharge, painful menstruation and bleeding after intercourse.
Risk factors for cervical cancer
The common risk factors include:
- Human Papilloma Virus infection (HPV), a common virus that is spread through sexual intercourse
- Early marriage or early sexual activity
- Presence of multiple sex partners
- Presence of sexually transmitted diseases
- Having multiple consecutive pregnancies
Early detection of cervical cancer is very important, as the cure rates are much higher (90-100%) if the cancer is diagnosed on time. The stage at which the cancer is detected makes a great difference to cure rates.
As a part of early detection, women should get their first pap smear done when they become sexually active (or by age 18) A Pap Smear is a screening test used to determine abnormal cervical changes. A doctor does this by very gently rubbing the cervix (mouth of the uterus) with a soft brush, to obtain sample cells. If any abnormality is found then a Colposcopy test is performed. Colposcopy is a diagnostic test performed using a lighted instrument that magnifies the cervix. This allows the doctor to detect abnormal cervical changes. Pap smear screenings for cervical cancer have been associated with a reduction in cervical cancer incidence and death from the disease.
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Cancer
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