Aside from breast cancer, cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women throughout the world. This occurs when cancer cells form on the cervix’s surface and spread deeper into the tissues as the condition advances.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is most commonly responsible for this malignancy. If this sexually transmitted infection (STI) comes into touch with cervix cells, it causes them to become abnormal over time, ultimately leading to cancer. This cancer has several stages, ranging from stage I to stage IV. There are therapy options for cervical cancer, depending on the stage of the illness. This article will look at the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cervical cancer.
How is Cervical Cancer Diagnosed?
Diagnosing cervical cancer is to figure out whether a person has abnormal cells in their cervix that could progress to cancer. Because there are no symptoms in the early stages, it is important to discover whether or not you have cervical cancer as soon as possible so that treatment may begin. Tests such as the Pap smear and HPV test are used to detect abnormal cells before symptoms appear.
In a Pap smear or pap test, cells from the cervix are taken to look for abnormalities. This test detects precancerous changes or early-stage cervical cancer, allowing for early and urgent action.
The HPV tests are intended to identify high-risk strains of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which is the leading cause of cervical cancer. A positive HPV test, especially when accompanied with abnormal Pap screening results, shows an increased risk of developing cervical cancer.
If these tests reveal anything problematic, doctors may conduct additional tests, such as closely inspecting the cervix with a special tool known as a colposcope or taking a small piece of tissue to examine for cancer cells under a microscope. Putting all of these tests together allows doctors to determine if someone has cervical cancer and how dangerous it is.
Treatment for Cervical Cancer
There are a few treatment options available for cervical cancer, however it all relies on the patient’s cancer stage. Let’s look at the various cervical cancer treatment options:
Surgical procedures: Surgical procedures such as cone biopsy, which removes a cone-shaped portion of tissue from the cervix, and hysterectomy, which removes the uterus, are used to treat stage I and II cancer. This means that during these treatments, cancerous cells that are limited to the cervix or have only spread to nearby tissues are removed in order to prevent the cancerous cells from reaching other organs or tissues.
Radiation therapy: This treatment kills cancer cells by using high-energy rays. This therapy approach can be used to treat both early-stage (stages I and II) and advanced-stage (stages III and IV) cervical cancer, particularly if the tumor is big or has spread to nearby tissues.
Chemotherapy: It is a medication that kills or prevents cancer cells from developing. It is usually used in conjunction with radiation therapy for cervical cancer in its later stages (stages II to IV) or when the cancer has progressed to other organs.
Prevention of Cervical Cancer
HPV vaccination: Getting vaccinated against HPV helps to stop the virus that causes cervical cancer. This vaccine simply trains your body to fight against high risk HPV, lowering your chances of becoming infected.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “HPV vaccination is recommended for 11 and 12 year-old girls. It is also recommended for girls and women age 13 through 26 years of age who have not yet been vaccinated or completed the vaccine series.”
Screening tests: These examinations are similar to routine cervical check-ups in that they identify issues early. A tiny sample of your cervix is taken for a Pap smear in order to examine for any unusual-looking cells under a microscope. This can aid in identifying abnormal changes that may result in cancer. The HPV test looks for the actual virus, which raises the possibility of cervical problems. Going for regular screening increases the likelihood that any issues will be detected before they worsen which helps you maintain your health.
Conclusion
When it comes to battling cervical cancer, doctors have a variety of techniques at their disposal. From screening tests to treatment choices, they’re fully prepared to face this condition head on. To prevent cervical cancer from occurring in the first place, women are encouraged to receive the HPV vaccination, which is an effective strategy to prevent infections. The combination of early identification, specific treatment plans, and preventive measures has the potential to eradicate cervical cancer.
