Cervical Cancer in Women: Causes, Symptoms, & Effective Treatment Options

Cervical cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death among women worldwide. Each year, around 500,000 women around the world are diagnosed with cervical cancer and more than 300,000 die from the disease, according to the WHO. However, despite major advances in prevention and treatment, the disease remains a leading health threat. It has been dramatically diminished in high-income countries through early detection, strategies like HPV vaccination, and effective treatments. But the numbers are high in low-income areas where access to healthcare may be limited.

So, in this blog, we are going to discuss the main causes, important symptoms, stages & treatment of cervical cancer and the rising trend and preventive measures for cervical cancer.

Key Takeaways:

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the leading cause of cervical cancer, and the HPV vaccine is a close second to birth control as the most important prevention method.

Routine Pap smears and HPV testing can diagnose the disease in its earliest, most treatable stages.

Including the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and other Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) which can diminish the immune system and raise the duration of HPV infection thus creating a risk factor for the cervical cancer.

Surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy are the primary treatments, depending on the stage of the cancer.

Otherwise, the best way to reduce the burden of the disease is: Prevention through vaccination, regular screenings, and lifestyle modification.

What is Cervical Cancer?

Cervical cancer occurs in the cervix, the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina. It is most frequently caused by chronic infection with high-risk strains of Human Papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a sexually transmitted disease, or STD, that can lead to abnormal cell changes that lead to cancer in the cervix if not treated.

They also highlighted the fact that the introduction of the HPV vaccine has been instrumental in lowering the rates of cervical cancer through HPV infections prevention. Yet, even with innovative vaccines in place, cervical cancer continues to be a major health concern, especially in lower- and middle- income nations where screening and vaccination coverage are low.

Cervical Cancer – Why Is It Becoming A Concern?

Although the incidence of cervical cancer has decreased in specific regions due to increasing awareness and mass screening, its global incidence persists as troubling due to the following reasons:

1- Lack of Consistency in HPV Vaccination: HPV, according to WHO, causes 99% of cervical cancer cases, but many regions have low vaccination rates. The capacity to distribute vaccines is low, particularly in more impoverished nations, thus resulting in more cases.

2- No Screening Access: The best way to prevent cervical cancer is through a regular Pap smear and HPV test, but women in low-income neighborhoods often do not have screenings. In their absence, precancerous cells are frequently overlooked until the disease is advanced.

3- HIV and STDs: Women with HIV or other STDs have a higher risk of cervical cancer. HIV weakens the immune system, and when the body is less able to fight off HPV infections, the risk of cervical cancer development increases.

4- Delayed Diagnosis and Lack of Awareness: Early-stage cervical cancer in women is often asymptomatic. In these instances, the cancer may remain undiagnosed and untreated until it has progressed significantly.

Main Causes & Risk Factors of Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer development is a multifactorial process, with HPV infection being the strongest risk factor. Other risk factors include:

1- Persistent HPV Infection: Prolonged infection with high-risk types of HPV (especially HPV 16 and 18 types) raises the risk of cervical cancer.

2- Having multiple sexual partners or engaging in unprotected sex can lead to HPV infection.

3- Suppressed Immune System: Women with HIV or other immune suppression have an increased risk of HPV infections causing cancer

4- Smoking: It can damage the cervical cells and reduce the body's overall immune response.

5- Use of Oral Contraceptives: Long-term use of birth control pills might slightly increase the risk of cervical cancer.

6- Family History: The risk of cervical cancer may be increased in women who have a family history of the disease, possibly due to inherited genetic factors.

Cervical Cancer Symptoms: What To Look For?

Cervical cancer does not usually cause symptoms in its early stages. As the condition progresses, the following signs may appear to women:

• Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding: This means bleeding between your periods, blood should come out after sex, or blood after menopausal status.
• Vaginal Discharge: There may be a foul-smelling, watery, or bloody vaginal discharge.
• Intercourse Pain: Painful sexual activity may be recorded when a tumor grows in the region of the cervix.
• Pelvic Pain: This ongoing discomfort can be a sign of more advanced cancer.
• Fatigue and Weight Loss: As the cancer spreads, women also may experience unintentional weight loss and fatigue.

Read More: Symptoms, Causes and Prevention of STDs

Cervical Cancer Stages

Cervical cancer is staged by how far the cancer has spread. The stages help doctors decide the best course of treatment. The FIGO system is the system most predominantly used for staging:

• Stage 0 (Carcinoma in situ): The cancer is limited to the cervix and has not invaded other tissues.
• Stage I: Cancer remains confined to the cervix and uterus.
• Stage II: Cancer has invaded areas or organs around the cervix but still in the pelvic cavity.
• Stage III: The cancer has spread to the lower part of the vagina or the pelvic wall.
• Stage IV: The cancer has spread to distant organs like the bladder, rectum or other parts outside the pelvic area.

Staging is critical to determine the best treatment options for the patient.

Types of Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancers fall into two broad types:

The most prevalent type, it originates in the thin, flat cells that line the cervix. This accounts for about 70–90% of all cervical cancer cases.

This type starts in the mucus-making cells in the cervix. It is less common, but often harder to detect and treat.

Some women will have a combination of both types, referred to as adenosquamous carcinoma.

Cervical Cancer Tests and Diagnosis

Diagnosis of cervical cancer usually includes the following steps:

• Pap Smear (Pap Test): The main test used to screen for cervical cancer. It is a test that collects cells from the cervix to test for abnormalities.
• HPV Test: Tests for the presence of high-risk strains of HPV in cervical cells. It can be done during a Pap smear or separately.
• Blood Test: Although not a definitive test for cervical cancer, specific blood tests may be performed to help evaluate overall health or find markers that might indicate cancer or other conditions.
• Colposcopy: A colposcopy is used to examine the cervix in depth, after abnormal cells are found in the Pap test. A biopsy can be taken of a suspicious area for more testing.
• Biopsy: In a biopsy, a health care provider removes a small sample of tissue from the cervix, and it is tested to confirm cancer is present.

Is Complete Cure Possible in Cervical Cancer?

Correct, cervical cancer is curable if found in the earliest stages. When the disease has not spread beyond the cervix, it can be successfully treated with surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. When cancer is detected early, there is the most hope for complete cure, and this is why screening at regular intervals is important.

Elite Body Home – Health and Lifestyle @2023 We provide at home testing in Dubai for HPV, HIV and other STDs for women. Cervical cancer can be prevented with early detection, and with our doctor on call service, you can easily connect with a medical professional and take steps to protect your health.

A cure may be when the cancer is still in its very early stages, and while it becomes more challenging to cure the disease, treatment can prolong quality of life and life expectancy for the patient. The sooner it is treated, the better the outcome.

What Are the Cervical Cancer Survival Rates?

As with many cancers, cervical cancer survival rates vary widely depending on the stage the cancer is when you’re diagnosed. According to National Cancer Institute (NCI) the overall 5-year relative survival rate for all stages of cervical cancer is about 67%. Reference: https://www.cancer.gov/types/cervical/survival

But survival rates rise dramatically when the cancer is found early:

• Localized Stage (Stage I): For cancer that is contained in the cervix and has not spread to surrounding tissues or lymph nodes, the 5-year relative survival rate is approximately 91%.
• Regional Stage (Stage II): When cancer has spread to tissues or lymph nodes nearby, the 5-year relative survival rate declines to around 58%.
• Distant (Stage III and IV): For cancers that have metastasized to faraway body regions, the 5-year relative survival rate is approximately 19%.

The earlier the cancer is detected, the more likely it is that the patient will have survival success based on regular screenings, and treatment. It is vital that women have routine screenings for cervical cancer, including Pap smears and HPV tests, to catch precursors as early as possible.

The NCI’s Cervical Cancer Survival Rates page provides a more thorough breakdown of cervical cancer survival rates (and staging).

Data: National Cancer Institute

Cervical Cancer Treatment Options

Stages and extent of cervix cancer accordingly distinguished treatment. Major treatment modalities include:

• Surgery: In early-stage cervical cancer, surgery is the treatment of choice. There may be a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) and removal of adjacent lymph nodes.
• Radiation therapy: Provides targeted radiation to destroy cancer cells and reduce tumors. It can be used alone or in conjunction with chemotherapy for more advanced stages.
• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy involves the use of medications to kill or inhibit the division of cancerous cells. It is commonly used when the cancer has spread beyond the cervix
• Immunotherapy: This treatment boosts the immune system of the body to identify and kill cancerous cells. It is used when cervical cancer is more advanced or has come back.
• Targeted therapy: These drugs are treatment targets for the mechanisms that let cervical cancer cells grow and they seem most effective in more advanced stages of the disease.

Cervical Cancer Treatment Team

Multidisciplinary team approach to cervical cancer treatment. The treatment team includes:

• Data are limited on the spoiler that oncologists (cancer specialists) have up their sleeves.
• Surgeons (the ones who do surgeries, i.e hysterectomy)
• Radiation Oncologists ( ​specialist in radiation therapy​ )
• Medical Oncologists (the ones who give chemotherapy)
• Nathaniel Mullen, patient, Nurses and Social Workers (for patient support)
• Pathologists (who diagnose the cancer by studying biopsy samples)
• Prevention: Early Detection

Cervical cancer can be prevented with vaccinations, screening, and lifestyle changes. Here’s what women can do:

• HPV vaccination: The HPV vaccine has been shown in the clinical setting to prevent infection with the strains of virus that cause most cases of cervical cancer. Recommended for girls and boys ages 11-12, prior to sexual activity.
• Routine Screening: Pap smears and HPV tests are important tools for identifying cervical changes before cancer develops. Women should start screenings at age 21, and they can continue to be tested every 3-5 years depending on their results.
• Healthy Lifestyle: This includes not smoking and using condoms during sex.

Conclusion

When you catch it early, cervical cancer is a preventable and treatable disease. In other words, women can take steps to prevent themselves from developing cervical cancer, including getting HPV vaccinations, being screened regularly, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Understanding the risks, symptoms, and treatment for this disease is crucial for being proactive in your health and life.

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