Cervical Cancer

Symptoms and treatment of cervical cancer

Cervical cancer occurs when abnormal cells on the cervix grow out of control. Squamous cell cervical cancer and carcinoma are the most common types of cervical cancer. This cancer can often be cured if it is found early through a Pap test. Human papilloma virus or HPV is a known cause of cervical cancer, and recent research has also found a genital herpes–cervical cancer link.

Symptoms of Cervical Cancer

When abnormal cells change and grow into cervical cancer, women may experience abnormal bleeding from the vagina or changes in their menstrual cycle that cannot be explained. Bleeding may also occur when something comes in contact with the cervix. This can happen during sex or when putting in a diaphragm. Pain during sex and vaginal discharge tinged with blood are some other symptoms.

Although less common, some studies have shown a link between leg pain or back pain and cervical cancer.

Preventing and Treating Cervical Cancer

Any woman's best line of defense against any cancer is having a healthy lifestyle. This means getting regular exercise, maintaining a healthy body weight and eating a diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables and low in red meats and fats.

Recently, a clinical preventive measure specific to cervical cancer has also become available. After many cervical cancer clinical trials, a vaccine has been developed that protects woman from HPV, which is the cause of half of all cases of cervical cancer.

If cervical cancer is diagnosed, surgery is the most common method used to treat it. Often, surgery is combined with other treatment methods, like chemotherapy or radiation therapy. The type of surgery used to treat cervical cancer depends largely upon the stage of the cancer. Lymphadenectomy is used if the removal of the lymph nodes is needed. Radical trachelectomy is the removal of the cervix and the surrounding tissue while leaving the vagina intact. A radical hysterectomy removes the uterus, the cervix and part of the vagina. In some cases, even the ovaries and fallopian tubes are removed in this type of surgery.