What You Need To Know About Cervical Cancer

What are cervical cancer & precancerous lesions ?

When cells in a area of the body grow abnormally, cancer can develop. Cervical cancer is abnormal cell growth in the cervix. The cervix is the part of the uterus that connects the upper part of the uterus (the womb) & the vagina.

Cervical cancer is a serious condition that can be life threatening. It begins when a woman becomes infected with certain types of Human Pappillmavirus (HPV). If the immune system does not clear the infection, normal cells can begin to grow abnormally & turn into precancerous lesions.

If not discovered early & treated, this abnormal cell growth can become cancer. Most often this can take a number of years although in rare cases it can happen within a year.


Cervical Cancer Is Caused by Certain Type of HPV

Who gets cervical cancer & precancers?

Woman who have been infected with certain types of HPV & have not been able to clear the virus can get cervical cancer & precancers.

About half of all females diagnosed with cervical cancer are between 35 & 55 year old. Many of these women were most likely exposed to cancer-causing HPV type during their teens & 20s.

Most of the women who get cervical cancer may have never had a Pap test.



What is HPV?

HPV is a common virus that affects both females & males. There are more than 100 types of the virus. Most types of HPV do not cause any symptoms, are harmless & are cleared.

About 3o types of HPV are known as genital HPV since they affect the genital area. Some types can cause cervical cancer or abnormal cells in the lining of the cervix that could turn into cancer. Other types of HPV can cause genital warts & benign (noncancerous) changes in the cervix.

HPV has also been linked to other rare diseases including vaginal & vulvar cancers, as well as RRP (recurrent respiratory papillomatosis), a disease of the throat that makes breathing difficult.

Because people who have HPV may not show any signs or symptoms, they can transmit the virus without even knowing it. Anyone who has sexual activity involving genital contact could get genital HPV, even if there is no sexual intercourse.


How do I know if I have HPV?

Because HPV usually has no signs of symptoms, most people infected with HPV don't know they have it. Most HPV infections are first discovered as a result of abnormal Pap tests. A Pap test is part of a gynecological exam & helps detect abnormal cells in the lining of the cervix before they have the chance to become precancers or cervial cancer.

Many cervical precancers (changes that could lead to cancer) are related to HPV & can be treated successfully if detected early. That's why early detection is so important.


How is HPV treated ?

Currently there is no proven treatment for HPV. For the majority of people who have HPV, the body's defenses are enough to clear the virus. It is possible to treat some of the possible consequences of HPV infection, including abnormal cervical cells, cervical cancer, & genital warts.


What are genital warts ?

Genital warts are flesh-colored growths that are most often caused by certain types of HPV. Genital warts most often appear on the external genitals or near the anus of females & males. Less commonly, genital warts can appear inside the vaginal & on the cervix.

It is estimated that approximately 10% of men & women will have genital warts in their lifetime.


How do I know if I have genital warts ?

Genital warts often do not cause symptoms. In some cases, however, they may cause burning, itching or pain. A healthcare professional can usually recognize genital warts just by seeing them. Sometimes they are discovered in follow-up visits after an abnormal Pap test.


How are genital warts treated ?

Genital warts sometimes disappear on their own without treatment. However, there is no way to tell if they will disappear or grow larger.

A healthcare professional may choose to apply a special cream of solution to the warts. Alternatively, some genital warts can be removed by freezing, burning or using a laser treatment. If these treatments don't work, they may be removed by surgery.

There is a chance that genital warts can reappear after treatment, since the HPV that caused them may still be present.


Options to help prevent cervical cancer and/or HPV infection

What are the options ?

• Regular Pap test
  
• Abstinence from all sexual activity
• Maintain monogamous relationship with someone who has had no other or few sex partners
• Limit the number of partners you have & choose your partners carefully. The fewer partners your partner has had, the less likely he or she is to have HPV
• Condoms may help reduce but is not fully protective against infection
• Vaccination with HPV vaccine
  
  

Pap test

The Pap test looks for cell changes causes by genital HPV. It find cell changes early - so the cells can be treated before they turn into cancer. This test can also find cancer in its early stages so it can be treated before it becomes life threatening.


Vaccination

Currently vaccination is available to prevent HPV infection & may reduce the risk of cervical cancer & HPV related diseases caused by certain type of HPV.

Ideally females should get the vaccine before they are sexually active. This is because the vaccine is most effective in women / girls who have not yet acquired any of the HPV types covered by the vaccine.