Women who know what questions to ask their doctors can make informed decisions regarding the risks and treatment of cervical cancer. Knowing the facts and likely causes of cervical cancer helps women make healthy lifestyle choices, which may decrease their risks.
What Is Cervical Cancer?
The cervix lies at the bottom of the uterus and above the vagina, and serves as a passageway for menstrual flow and childbirth. Abnormal cervical cells can be a prelude to cancer, as can a rapid growth of these cells. An increased number of abnormal cervical cells increases the risks of developing cervical cancer. As cells grow out of control, the cancer can spread beyond the cervix.
How Does It Develop?
The most common cause of cervical cancer is human papillomavirus, also known as HPV. This is a sexually transmitted virus. Smokers and anyone with a weakened immune system are at greater risk.
Are There Other Risk Factors?
Caucasian women ages 45 to 70 have an increased risk of dying from cervical cancer. African-American women in their 70s have a higher risk as well. Women who have had many children, use oral contraceptives or have had many sexual partners at a young age are more at risk.
How Is It Detected?
Screening is by a Pap test, which takes a sample of surface cervical cells during a pelvic exam. They are examined microscopically for abnormalities. Positive results often call for a HPV DNA test to look for a cause.
Does Screening Have Risks?
False-negative tests results may delay needed treatment. False-positive tests cause anxiety and unneeded invasive tests such as colposcopy, an examination of the cervix and vagina with a lighted scope.
What Are the Symptoms?
There are typically no symptoms. However, cervical cancer can produce abnormal vaginal bleeding, pain during sexual activity, bloody vaginal discharge and unexplained menstrual changes. Look for cervical bleeding when the cervix is touched by a diaphragm or other such object.
What Are the Stages?
Stage 0 is "in situ" or noninvasive and only on the cervix surface. Stage 1 indicates the cancer is only in the cervix. Stage 2 indicates movement beyond the cervix but not the pelvic wall. Stage 3 means the pelvic wall is involved and includes tumors, which can prevent urination. Stage 4 involves the rectum and bladder or areas beyond the pelvis.
What Is the Treatment?
Treatment depends on the stage of the cancer. In the early stages, a cone biopsy, or a hysterectomy to remove the cervix and uterus, are recommended. Radiation therapy or chemotherapy is often used in the later stages. Surgery to remove lymph nodes may be required.
What Are the Survival Rates?
According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 11,270 new cases of stage 1 or higher "invasive" cervical cancer will be diagnosed in 2009. Their statistics show that the relative five-year survival rate is 92% for women who are diagnosed in the earliest stages of invasive cancer of the cervix.
Does Menopause Lower the Risk?
Menopause has no influence on the development of cervical cancer. Yearly Pap tests should be performed on women of all ages. The exception is between the ages of 65 and 70 with three or more normal Pap results, according to the National Cancer Institute.
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