Cervical cancer is often caused by contracting different forms of human papillomavirus (HPV), but not all cases are caused by HPV. Regular gynecological exams and Pap smears can help diagnose early-stage cancer when it’s most treatable. Symptoms include vaginal bleeding, painful sex, and a watery, blood-tinged discharge. Treatment options depend on the stage of the cancer, and the best treatment is available for those who have this condition diagnosed early. The HPV vaccination may be the best chance of preventing cervical cancer, but it’s not a 100% guarantee.
Cervical cancer is a common cancer that can initially affect the cervix, the area attached to and located just below the uterus, and then can spread to the uterus, vaginal wall, and metastasize to other parts of the body. In recent years, the medical community has made great strides in recognizing the predominant risk factor for cervical cancer, namely contracting different forms of human papillomavirus (HPV). In most cases of this condition, women also test positive for a previous HPV infection, which is often asymptomatic. Not all cases of cervical cancer are caused by HPV and there are people who get HPV and don’t get this cancer. However, the risk factor increases significantly for those who have had HPV and there is now a vaccination for these forms of HPV which can greatly reduce the risk.
In the United States alone, approximately 11,000 women each year are diagnosed with cervical cancer, and of those cases, as many as 4,000 of these women may die. With yearly visits to gynecologists and yearly pap smears, it can be very easy to diagnose early stage cancer when it’s most treatable. As scientists have discovered the HPV connection, women at risk may also be asked to have an HPV blood test done in a laboratory to rule out this risk factor for the condition. It’s important to note that even if you don’t test positive for HPV, you can still develop cervical cancer. Other risk factors such as becoming sexually active at a young age, having multiple partners, having unsafe sex, and smoking can increase your risk for the condition.
Early-stage cervical cancer, where there are some abnormal cells, often has few symptoms. As the cancer progresses and these few cells turn into squamous cell lesions, then tumors, and start affecting the uterus, pelvis, and metastasize, other symptoms begin to emerge. Vaginal bleeding may occur between periods or after going through menopause. It can be painful to have sex, and intercourse can cause even more bleeding. Women may also notice a slightly watery, blood-tinged discharge that may smell bad. Noticing any of these symptoms means you should see a gynecologist right away, even if your pap smear has been normal in the past.
Once this tumor has been detected, further tests help confirm the diagnosis and determine the stage of the cancer. These tests include a physical exam, biopsies of any areas that appear cancerous, and a procedure called a conization or cone biopsy, which removes a conical piece of tissue from the cervix. You may also expect to have more blood tests, x-rays, and various body scans to look for areas of cancer outside the cervix.
Treatment of the condition depends a lot on the stage of the cancer. When the cancer is in its early stages, conization, laser surgery, or cryosurgery (freezing of cells) can remove abnormal cells from outside the cervix. Once the cancer has moved deeper into the cervix or is affecting the uterus, a hysterectomy is almost always needed, and if the cancer has metastasized, women may also need to undergo radiation and/or chemotherapy to kill cancer cells. The best treatment options are available for those who have this condition diagnosed early, which is why the importance of regular gynecological exams and Pap smears cannot be stressed enough.
For many women who have cervical cancer, having a child in the future can be difficult or impossible. When the condition is detected in its early stages, the removal of abnormal cells or conization and even the removal of most of the cervix does not mean that one cannot become pregnant. However, because the cervix is essentially the holding point for a growing fetus, pregnancies are much more likely to miscarry. Obviously more significant treatment, such as hysterectomy, means that pregnancy is not possible.
The HPV vaccination may be your best chance of preventing cervical cancer, although it’s certainly not a license to have unprotected sex, and it’s not a 100% guarantee that the cancer won’t occur. Some parents believe the vaccination will give children license to have sex early or send a mixed message to their sons, and are wary of having their daughters vaccinated. It should be noted that HPV can be contracted through skin-to-skin contact and does not necessarily have to be contracted through standard sexual intercourse. Girls and boys should be advised to abstain from sex and wait, as more sexual partners and early sexual intercourse increase the risk of HPV infection for both. Those who are sexually active should always use condoms, which can reduce the risk of HPV infection, as well as protect men and women from other STIs.
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