Cervical Cancer
By: Wasif Siddiqui
Location & Function
Cervical Cancer is a type of cancer that is located in the cervix of the female reproductive system. The function of the cervix is to allow menstrual blood to flow through the uterus and into the vagina. The cervix also directs sperm into the uterus during intercourse.
Risk Factors
There are risk factors to every disease. A risk factor is something that increases the chances of someone getting a certain disease. Risk factors of Cervical Cancer my include:
- HPV (Human Papillomavirus)
- Smoking
- Chlamydia Infection
- Long term use of contraceptives (Birth control pills, etc...)
- Immunosuppression
Risk factors of cervical cancer may consist of more than what is shown above.
Symptoms
Just as every other disease, cervical cancer consists of a variety of symptoms. Many symptoms may include:
- Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding
- Unusual Discharge through the birth canal
- Painful Intercourse
Symptoms of cervical cancer may consist of more than what is shown above.
Diagnosis & Stages
Diagnosis of cervical cancer can be accomplished through a PAP Test, or can be suspected by victim due to noticed symptoms throughout the body. Cervical cancer has also been organized into a set of stages that show the advancement of the disease. These stages include:
- Stage 0
- Stage 1
- Stage 2
- Stage 3
- Stage 4
There are also sub stages within each of these stages, but I won't touch on them that much in this flyer. The cancer advances as it rises in stages, the farther the stage the cancer reaches, the lower survival chances of the victim.
Survival Rates By Stages
- Stage 0: 93%
- Stage 1: 80% to 93%
- Stage 2: 58% to 63%
- Stage 3: 32% to 35%
- Stage 4: 15% to 16%
Treatment
Types of treatment available:
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Targeted Therapy
- Radiation Therapy
Treatments of cervical cancer may consist of more than what is shown above.
Side Effects of Therapies
There may be more side effects of the treatments of cervical cancer than what is shown below.
- Fatigue
- Upset Stomach
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Skin Changes
- Diarrhea
What type of Doctor?
Possible types of doctors helping you:
- Gynecologist- A doctor who treats diseases of the female reproductive system.
- Gynecologist Oncologist- A doctor specialized for cancers in the female reproductive system.
- Radiation Oncologist- A doctor that uses radiation in the treatment of cancer.
- Medical Oncologist- A doctor that uses chemotherapy and other different medicines in order to treat cancer.
Bibliography
- "How Is Cervical Cancer Treated?" How Is Cervical Cancer Treated? N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Nov. 2014.
- "Cervix - Anatomy & Function." Medindia. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Nov. 2014.
- "What Are the Risk Factors for Cervical Cancer?" What Are the Risk Factors for Cervical Cancer? American Cancer Society, n.d. Web. 09 Nov. 2014.
- Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. Digital image. Clear Passage Physical Therapy. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Nov. 2014.