It begins in the cervix (the lower part of the womb) and was once the primary cause of death from cancer for women, but thanks to the Pap test (smear test), the number of women with this type of cancer has decreased hugely.
The test also enables doctors to see changes in the cervix when they haven't developed into cancer.
What are the symptoms of cervical cancer?Cancers (including cervical) generally show no early symptoms or signs. Cancer is normally discovered when it becomes invasive and begins to attack nearby tissue.
The symptom most often seen is abnormal vaginal bleeding (occurring at odd times – for example after intercourse), or vaginal discharge due to an infected tumor prior to bleeding.
What factors increase your chances of developing cervical cancer?Research by the National Cancer Instrument suggests that the strongest risks may be:
- Infection with HPV (the human papillomavirus). It is believed that one must have HPV before developing cancer. HPVs are viruses which cause warts (also known as papillomas), that are typically non-cancerous (benign) tumors. There are, however, certain high-risk varieties which do cause cancer
- Having sex at a young age and having multiple partners
- Smoking – incidences among smokers are double those of non-smokers.
- Women whose mothers took the drug Diethylstilbestrol during pregnancy to avoid miscarriage.
Can cervical cancer be found early?
Regular Pap (Smear) tests and pelvic exams will help detect anything cancerous. The tests should start no more than three years after becoming sexually active or at 21 years-old – whichever comes first.
