Cervical Cancer
Shaiyana Brown Block 2 December 5, 2014
What is cervical cancer?
How is it caused?
The cause of cervical cancer is HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) and is transmitted through sexual intercourse. The disease is carried by men; however, men are not affected. Some risk factors of cervical cancer may include:
- Not getting HPV vaccine
- Weakened immune system
- Sex at an early age
- Multiple sex partners
- Women whose mothers took the DES drug during pregnancy in 1960
- smoking
Signs/Test
Test are needed to diagnose cervical cancer because it is not visible to the naked eye.
- Pap Smear- sample of cell scrapings taken for microscopic study
- Colonoscopy- used under certain conditions, tissues removed and sent to the lab for examination
- Staging- health care provider will order test to determine how far the cancer has spread
Symptoms
There may be no symptoms until the cancer has advanced and spread. The cancer can spread to the bladder, intestines, lungs, and liver.
Early
- May be no symptoms
Cancer
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding
- Periods that are heavier and last longer
Advanced Cancer
- Fatigue
- Leaking of urine or feces from vagina
- Loss of appetite
- Pelvic pain
Treatment
Treatment for cervical cancer depends on
- Stage of cancer
- Size and shape of tumor
- Women age and general health
- Desire to have children in the future
Treatment for early stage in the cancer removes and destroys precancerous tissue allows you to have a child in the future.
Examples include:
- Laser therapy - uses light to burn abnormal tissue
- Cryothearapy- freezes abnormal cells
- Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure- uses electricity to remove tissue
Treatment for advanced cervical cancer usually does not allow the women to have children after treatment
Examples include:
- Radical hysterectomy- removes uterus, lymph nodes, and upper vagina
- Pelvic exenteranation- all organs of pelvis are removed
- Radiation- used to treat cancer that has spread beyond cervix or has returned
Prognosis
Citations
"10 Scary Cervical Cancer Facts." Health24. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2014.
N.p., n.d. Web.