Cervical Cancer
After breast cancer,
cervical cancer is the second most common form of cancer found in women,
more often in young girls in their late teens and women in their twenties.
Cervical cancer is a disease where cancer cells are found in the cervix, the
opening of the uterus. Experts are unsure as to what causes cervical cancer, but
studies show that a virus, the human papillomavirus (HPV), is a primary cause
for cervical cancer.
When are you more at risk of getting cervical cancer?
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Having sex at an early age and/or having multiple
sexual partners
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Having sex without condoms
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Smoking cigarettes
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Recurrent sexually transmitted diseases
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A compromised or weak immune system
Preventing Cervical Cancer
The best way to
prevent cervical cancer by early detection. Have a Pap smear every year starting
when you become sexually active or 18 years old. Prevention of cervical cancer
can also be done by reducing or eliminating your risk factors: Don’t smoke
cigarettes, avoid having multiple sexual partners, reduce your chance of getting
sexually transmitted diseases by using condoms. Postmenopausal women should
continue to have Pap tests. Also be aware that having a compromised or weak
immune system can make you more susceptible.
Treatment of Cervical Cancer
Treatment of
cervical cancer depends on a few factors: Age, location of the abnormal cells,
results of the colposcopy and whether or not you wish to have children later on.
Surgery: The cancer calls are removed by various methods. Excision
(cutting out the abnormal cells), electrocautery (electric current is passed
through a metal rod that touches, burns and destroys abnormal cells),
cryosurgery (abnormal cells are frozen with carbon dioxide or nitrous oxide),
laser vaporization (precise destruction of the small areas of abnormal cells),
conization (a biopsy used as a treatment), and/or hysterectomy (removal of the
cervix and uterus.
Radiation Therapy: By means of high doses of X-Rays or other high energy
rays can be used in both advanced and early stages of Cervical cancer.
Chemotherapy: This is done by using drugs to kill off the cancer cells,
either by taking a pill or by Injection. The drugs travel through your blood
system killing any cancer cells they encounter.
