MAY is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. Cervical cancer refers to cancer cells in the lining or surface of the cervix. It’s a common type of cancer that affects many women worldwide.
According to The Medical City in the Philippines, around half a million women worldwide are diagnosed with cervical cancer annually. Unfortunately, in the Philippines, late-stage diagnosis is common, hence, causing more death.
To spread more awareness about the condition, we will tackle its causes, symptoms, and treatments for patients.
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Causes of Cervical Cancer
HPV virus is one of the major causes of the formation of cancer cells in the cervix. HPV is a sexually transmitted infection spread through sexual contact (anal, oral, or vaginal). The early detection of HPV can help prevent the formation and spread of cancerous cells, thus, preventing cervical cancer.
For those with HPV infections, you can take a Pap smear test to detect cancer cells in the cervix. You can get a Pap smear test at 21 years old and above with a three- or five-year interval upon doctor’s recommendations.
Apart from the Pap smear test, it’s also recommended to take the HPV test to detect high-risk types of HPV that may lead to cervical cancer. HPV tests are recommended for people 30 years and older and could be co-tested with the Pap smear test.
Fortunately, people can be vaccinated against HPV. However, in the Philippines, the vaccination rate is low due to its high costs. The same goes for the utilization of screening exams such as the Pap smear test. Hence, it made it difficult to prevent HPV and cervical cancer among Filipino women.
Apart from the HPV virus, other risk factors causing cervical cancer are smoking, long-term use of contraceptive pills (five years and more), numerous pregnancies, and those who began engaging in sexual intercourse at a young age.
Symptoms of Cervical Cancer
Late diagnosis is frequent because the early stages of cervical cancer either have no symptoms or may be hard to detect. At stage 1 of cervical cancer, the common symptoms include watery or bloody vaginal discharge, vaginal bleeding after intercourse, and irregular or alarming menstrual periods.
However, if cancer cells have spread to nearby tissues or organs (stages 3 and 4), the symptoms include difficulty in peeing, diarrhea, weight loss, swelling of legs, and pelvic pain.
The problem is that those symptoms may not always be a sign but other health conditions. In terms of cervical cancer, many people are unaware of it until they are diagnosed with the disease. Hence, if symptoms persist, it’s recommended to have it checked by a doctor.
Treatments for Cervical Cancer
There are several treatment options for patients with cervical cancer. The treatment options include radiation, chemotherapy, surgery, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. However, the treatment recommended by doctors is based on the stage of cancer and the age and health of the patient.
Radiation
Radiation therapy comes in two types: external beam radiation therapy and brachytherapy. The former aims to kill the cancer cells, while the latter point the radiation in or next to the cancer cells/tumor.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the process of injecting or intaking drugs to kill cancer cells. The length and frequency of chemotherapy depend on the medicine used and the location of the cancer.
Surgery
There are several types of surgeries for cervical cancer. The approaches of surgeries differ from one another, wherein some burns (laser surgery) or freezes (cryosurgery) cancer cells, and others require the removal of specific or all parts of the uterus or cervix.
In the early cases of cervical cancer, it can be treated by removing a specific cancerous tissue or tumor (less than 4 cm) instead of removing an organ. In addition, some patients also opt to have a combination of treatments as recommended by doctors.
Targeted Therapy
As its name states, targeted therapy aims to destroy specific cancerous cells and keep the healthy cells.
Immunotherapy
This process works with your immune system in detecting and destroying cancer cells.
Those treatment options are done by doctors from different specializations. Your treatment team may include general practitioners, gynecological oncologists, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, cancer care coordinators, and dietitians.
In Summary
Early diagnosis of cervical cancer can usually be treated. However, as mentioned earlier, the early stages may not show symptoms, which may lead to higher stages.
Several risk factors may cause cervical cancer and some are within our control, but others may not. For those within your control, some practices you can do are vaccinating yourself against HPV, using condoms or other barriers during sexual intercourse, limiting or being selective of your sexual partners, and cutting off smoking habits.
Lastly, it emphasizes the need to take health assessments to prevent this condition regularly.
Disclaimer: This post is meant to inform readers only. Please visit a medical professional for diagnosis.
