I am diagnosed with cervical cancer

I wish to profusely commend your tireless efforts in enlightening the public on numerous health issues for over a decade now. I was diagnosed with cervical cancer about three months ago outside the country and now on treatment. Kindly share information to help reduce the prevalence. Blessing V. Wishing you speedy recovery Blessing. Worldwide, cervical […]

I wish to profusely commend your tireless efforts in enlightening the public on numerous health issues for over a decade now. I was diagnosed with cervical cancer about three months ago outside the country and now on treatment. Kindly share information to help reduce the prevalence.

Blessing V.

Wishing you speedy recovery Blessing. Worldwide, cervical cancer is the third most common type of cancer in women. Cervical cancer usually develops very slowly. It starts as a precancerous growth. This precancerous condition can be detected by a pap smear and is 100% treatable. That is why it is so important for women to get regular pap smears. 

Undetected precancerous changes can develop into cervical cancer and spread to the bladder, intestines, lungs, and liver. It can take years for precancerous changes to turn into cervical cancer. 

Almost all cervical cancers are caused by HPV (human papilloma virus). HPV is a common virus that is spread through sexual intercourse. 

Risk factors for cervical cancer include but not limited to the following; 

1.Starting sexual intercourse at an early age.

2.Multiple sexual partners.

3.Poor economic status (Many women may not be able to afford regular pap smears)

4.Sexual partners who have multiple partners or who participate in high-risk sexual activities such as intercourse without protection

5.Weakened immune system.

Most of the time, early cervical cancer has no symptoms. Symptoms that may occur can include:

1.Abnormal vaginal bleeding between periods, after intercourse, or after menopause

2.Any bleeding after menopause

3.Continuous vaginal discharge, which may be pale, watery, pink, brown, bloody, or foul-smelling

4.Periods become heavier and last longer than usual

Symptoms of advanced cervical cancer may include:

1.Back pain

2.Bone fractures

3.Fatigue

4.Heavy bleeding from the vagina

5.Leaking of urine or feces from the vagina

6.Leg pain

7.Loss of appetite

8.Pelvic pain

9.Single swollen leg

10.Weight loss

Useful Investigations 

Precancerous changes of the cervix and cervical cancer cannot be seen with the naked eye. Special tests and tools are needed to spot such conditions.

1.Pap smears screen for precancers and cancer, but do not make a final diagnosis.

2.If abnormal changes are found, the cervix is usually examined under magnification. 

3.Endocervical curettage (ECC) to examine the opening of the cervix

4.Cone Biopsy. 

Treatment options

•Early cervical cancer can be cured by removing or destroying the precancerous or cancerous tissue. There are various surgical ways to do this without removing the uterus or damaging the cervix, so that a woman can still have children in the future. 

•A hysterectomy (removal of the uterus but not the ovaries) is not often performed for cervical cancer that has not spread. It may be done in women with advanced cancer.

Prevention

It is very important to ensure prevention of cervical cancer through;

•Provision of vaccine to female children.

•Practicing safe sexual intercourse (using condoms) also reduces risk of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and other sexually transmitted diseases. 

•Limiting sexual partners.

•Getting regular pap smears can help detect precancerous changes, which can be treated before they turn into cervical cancer. Annual pelvic examinations, including a pap smear, should start when a woman becomes sexually active, or by the age of 20 in a non-sexually active woman.