What is Cervical Cancer? Prevention, Symptoms, and Early Diagnosis

Cervical cancer is a health issue that still poses a serious threat to women all over the world. However, its incidence can be lowered through proper education and prevention. It is important to determine how cervical cancer is, its causes, symptoms, and early diagnosis, for better outcomes. So, as we mark the Cervical Cancer Prevention Week 2025, I would like to elaborate on more of these things.

Understanding Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer happens through abnormal cell growth in the cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. If left untreated, these abnormal changes can sometimes progress to cancer. As per the NHS, nearly every cervical cancer occurrence has been associated with high-risk strands of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) which is a common sexually transmitted infection.

What Can Cause Cervical Cancer?

The most common cause of cervical cancer is infection from high-risk HPV strains. However, other risk factors may consist of: 

Weakened Immune System: Some medical conditions and even some medications increase the risk of infection since they weaken the immune system.

Smoking: The use of tobacco regularly doubles the risk of cervical cancer because smokers become immunocompromised and cervical cells are constantly bathed with toxic substances.

Long-term Use of Birth Control Pills: Some studies have shown that there is an increased therapeutic index on the risk of cervical cancer with long-term use of oral contraceptives.

Multiple Full-term Pregnancies: There are associations with having multiple pregnancies and increased risk due to hormonal changes combined with the possibility of HPV infection.

While genetics is not a direct factor, some may wonder, "Is cervical cancer hereditary?" The answer is generally no, as cervical cancer is primarily caused by environmental and viral factors, not inherited genetic mutations.

Signs and Symptoms of Cervical Cancer

Screening remains an important practice in diagnosing early-stage cervical cancer which often remains asymptomatic. However, as the disease advances, women tend to ache from the following:

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding like post menopause, after sex, or in between cycles.
• Persistent pelvic pain or discomfort.
• Foul-smelling vaginal discharge.
• Pain during sexual intercourse.

Advanced Cervical Cancer

When the cervical cancer expands through the cervix and penetrates to the neighboring tissues and organs, it can result in several other symptoms and manifestations, such as: 

• Constipation 
• Blood within your urine (haematuria) 
• Loss of control of the bladder (urinary incontinence)
• Pain in the bones 
• Swelling or edema of one of your legs 
• Extremely severe discomfort in one’s side or back due to swelling of kidneys (called hydronephrosis)
• Modifications to bladder and bowel habits 
• Decreased appetite
• Weight reduction
• Exhaustion and feeling lethargic

If you notice any of these signs and symptoms of cervical cancer, consult a healthcare professional promptly.

Screening for Cervical Cancer

A regular procedural check-up is one of the most important methods of preventing cervical cancer from developing as well as diagnosing it in its early stages. The first two methods of screening are: 

Pap Smear (Cytology Test): This test looks for abnormal cells located on the cervix which may become cancerous later on. 

HPV Testing: This test, on the other hand, looks for both the presence and the strength of HPV strains that can cause cervical cancer. 

In the UK, cervical screening is offered to women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64. Regular screening can help detect pre-cancerous changes early, significantly reducing the risk of progression to cervical cancer.

How I Knew I Had Cervical Cancer?

Some oral accounts like “ How I knew I had cervical cancer,” are attention-grabbing. Many women have shared how some typical symptoms like abnormal bleeding or constant pelvic pain moved them to see a doctor. Experiencing pains such as these serve as red flags and hopefully only necessitate further observations of the body.

How To Prevent Cervical Cancer?

Cervical cancer is an easily avoidable disease, the beauty of it is that there are so many ways to go about it. Here are some effective ways:

1. Obtain HPV Shots

Receiving this particular vaccine is key for individuals looking to minimize the risk of contracting the strain of HPV that leads to cancer. This vaccine is used in preteens, however, everyone else who has not received any type of HPV will also benefit from it.

2. Get Regular Screenings

Do not miss your cervical screening appointments. Getting a check for abnormal cells at an early stage can assist in making sure that they do not progress into cancer.

3. Use Protection During Sexual Intercourse

Though not fully reliable due to HPV having the ability to spread through skin contact, condoms do limit the chances of passing on HPV.

4. Avoid Cigarettes

If you smoke, request assistance to enable you to stop. Smoking damages your immune system and increases the difficulty of getting rid of HPV.

5. Live A Balanced Life

Eat a healthy diet, exercise, and manage stress. These will strengthen your immune system and help you overall.

Understanding the Importance of Early Diagnosis

Early detection of cervical cancer is the most important factor in whether a patient survives it. Its 5-year survival rate when detected early is more than 90%. Hence, regular screenings and awareness of its symptoms is important in catching the disease as early as possible.

The graph above shows how greater the impact of early diagnosis is. In UK, 3,200 people diagnosis at an earlier stage to improve outcomes while in 1800 cases the prognosis was quite poor due to Diana gnostic being at a later stage. This highlights the importance of awareness and screening campaigns.

If you do not feel 100% confident about how your screening routine goes, feel free to always reach out your doctor.

A Directive for Change

Prioritize your health as the Cervical Cancer Prevention Week 2025 approaches. This serves as an ideal chance to expand your knowledge regarding cervical cancer, invite your family and friends to go for screenings and push for the availability of HPV vaccinations. It is indeed possible that cervical cancer be a rare occurrence in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can men develop cancer caused by HPV infection? 
   Men are indeed able to develop HPV-related cancers such as penile, anal, and throat cancer. Vaccination against HPV is encouraged for boys and males to diminish the chances of such developments.
   
   
2. What should I do if I notice symptoms?
   If you experience any symptoms of cervical cancer, consult your healthcare provider promptly for a thorough evaluation and necessary tests.
   
   
3. What are the signs of incurable cervix carcinoma? 
   Signs that appear with worsened stages of carcinoma of the cervix are appetite loss, necrotic changes, severe back pain, severe sore throat, swelling in legs, skin necrosis and weakness, constipation, bloody urine, and spinal and limb bones hurting.
   
   
4. What is cervical cancer?
   Cervical cancer is a form of cancer that begins in the cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina. Most shapes usually start with the cells changing abnormally due to infection by high-risk HPV.
   
   
5. What are the first stages of cervical cancer?
   When detected, earlier stages of this cancer type show no observable signs. Warning signals may manifest as irregular vaginal bleeding, constant pelvis region pain, problematic vaginal secretions, or discomfort while having sex.