Welcome to Cervical Cancer!

All parents worry about protecting their children and want the best for their future. The good news is there is a new vaccine that can help prevent girls from developing cervical cancer when they are older. Parents can help protect their daughters by making sure they receive the vaccine.

The vaccine works by immunising girls against certain strains of the human papillomavirus [HPV] that are known to cause 7 out of 10 of cervical cancers. The vaccine will also prevent 9 out of 10 cases of genital warts.

Cervix:

The cervix is part of a woman's reproductive system. It is the lower, narrow part of the uterus [womb]. The uterus is a hollow, pear-shaped organ in the lower abdomen. The cervix connects the uterus to the vagina. The vagina leads to the outside of the body.

The cervical canal is a passageway. Blood flows from the uterus through the canal into the vagina during a woman's menstrual period. The cervix also produces mucus. The mucus helps sperm move from the vagina into the uterus. During pregnancy, the cervix is tightly closed to help keep the baby inside the uterus. During childbirth, the cervix dilates to allow the baby to pass through the vagina.

It is important to get tested for cervical cancer because 6 of 10 cervical cancers occur in women who have never received a Pap test or have not been tested in the past five years.

Cervical cancer is the easiest female cancer to prevent, because there is a vaccine and a screening test available. It also is highly curable when found and treated early.

The human papillomavirus [HPV], a common virus that can be passed from one person to another during sex, is the main cause of cervical cancer and also causes many vaginal and vulvar cancers. At least half of sexually active people will have HPV at some point in their lives. Keep in mind, many people will have an HPV infection at some time in their lives, but few women will get cervical cancer.

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Risk factors and causes of cervical cancer:

Doctors cannot always explain why one woman develops cervical cancer and another does not. However, we do know that a woman with certain risk factors may be more likely than others to develop cervical cancer. A risk factor is something that may increase the chance of developing a disease.

Studies have found a number of factors that may increase the risk of cervical cancer. These factors may act together to increase the risk even more.

  • Human papillomaviruses [HPVs]: HPV infection is the main risk factor for cervical cancer. HPV is a group of viruses that can infect the cervix. HPV infections are very common. These viruses can be passed from person to person through sexual contact. Most adults have been infected with HPV at some time in their lives. Some types of HPV can cause changes to cells in the cervix. These changes can lead to genital warts, cancer, and other problems. Doctors may check for HPV even if there are no warts or other symptoms.

  • If a woman has an HPV infection: Her doctor can discuss ways to avoid infecting other people. The Pap test can detect cell changes in the cervix caused by HPV. Treatment of these cell changes can prevent cervical cancer. There are several treatment methods, including freezing or burning the infected tissue. Sometimes medicine also helps.

  • Lack of regular Pap tests: Cervical cancer is more common among women who do not have regular Pap tests. The Pap test helps doctors find precancerous cells. Treating precancerous cervical changes often prevents cancer.

  • Weakened immune system [the body's natural defense system]: Women with HIV [the virus that causes AIDS] infection or who take drugs that suppress the immune system have a higher-than-average risk of developing cervical cancer. For these women, doctors suggest regular screening for cervical cancer.

  • Age: Cancer of the cervix occurs most often in women over the age of 40.

  • Sexual history: Women who have had many sexual partners have a higher-than-average risk of developing cervical cancer. Also, a woman who has had sexual intercourse with a man who has had many sexual partners may be at higher risk of developing cervical cancer. In both cases, the risk of developing cervical cancer is higher because these women have a higher-than-average risk of HPV infection.

  • Smoking cigarettes: Women with an HPV infection who smoke cigarettes have a higher risk of cervical cancer than women with HPV infection who do not smoke.

  • Using birth control pills for a long time: Using birth control pills for a long time [5 or more years] may increase the risk of cervical cancer among women with HPV infection.

  • Having many children: Studies suggest that giving birth to many children may increase the risk of cervical cancer among women with HPV infection.

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Cervical Cancer Symptoms

Signs and Symptoms:

Early on, most vaginal cancers do not cause signs and symptoms. But if there are symptoms, they may include:

  • Bleeding that is unusual for you because of when it happens or how heavy it is.

  • Pain in your pelvis, the area below your stomach and in between your hip bones, especially when you pass urine or have sex.

Many women who have vulvar cancer have signs and symptoms. They may include:

  • Itching of the vulva (mostly on the labia) that does not go away.

  • Changes in the color of the skin of the vulva, so that it looks redder or whiter than is normal for you.

  • Skin changes in the vulva, including what looks like a rash or warts.

  • A sore on the vulva that does not go away.