Many of our women get scared when they hear the name Cervical Cancer. But if you are really aware of this, there is no reason to be afraid. Because this is a type of cancer that can be prevented in most cases, and can also be completely cured if detected at an early stage. So today we will talk about this in the simplest Sinhala that you can understand, without hiding anything. Just like talking to your best friend.
Simply put, what is cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer is cancer that starts in the cells lining the cervix, the part of your uterus that connects to your vagina. It doesn't develop all at once. It starts when healthy cells in your cervix gradually change and become abnormal cells (precancerous cells) that can become cancerous.
The main reason for this is the virus called HPV (Human Papillomavirus) . In fact, almost 100 percent of cervical cancer cases are caused by HPV infection. This virus is sexually transmitted. But don't panic when you hear this. HPV is a very common virus. Many sexually active people will be infected with this virus at some point in their lives. But most of the time, our body's immune system eliminates this virus. However, sometimes this virus can persist without being eliminated from the body. If that happens, there is a risk that the cells in the cervix will change and develop into cancer.
The most important thing is that getting tests like Pap smears on time and getting the HPV vaccine can greatly reduce this risk.
Most of the time, this cancer doesn't show any major symptoms until it has spread. That's why regular screening and the HPV vaccine are so important. If detected early, it can be very curable.
What are the main types of cervical cancer?
There are two main types of cervical cancer.
1. Squamous cell carcinomas: This type accounts for between 80% and 90% of cervical cancers.
2. Adenocarcinomas: This type of cancer accounts for between 10% and 20%.
Sometimes, cancer can develop as a combination of both types. If you have trouble remembering these names, that's okay. This is important for doctors. The most important thing you need to know is the symptoms and how to prevent them.
What symptoms should you watch out for?
As we mentioned earlier, cervical cancer usually doesn't show any symptoms in its early stages . That's why it's called an insidious cancer. Symptoms only start to appear after the cancer has progressed a bit.
You should be a little concerned about the following symptoms. If you have one or more of these, please do not panic and see your doctor for advice.
| Type of symptom | Description |
|---|---|
| Early symptoms |
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| Symptoms that may occur when cancer spreads |
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Remember, not everyone who has these symptoms has cervical cancer. They can also be caused by other, simpler health problems. However, if you experience unusual bleeding or have a strange vaginal discharge, you should definitely see a doctor.
Who is most at risk for cervical cancer?
There are several risk factors that can affect the development of cervical cancer. Some of them we can control, and some we cannot.
Risk factors we can control
- Not getting tested on time: People who do not get Pap tests at the scheduled intervals are at higher risk of developing cervical cancer because Pap tests can detect precancerous cells before they become cancerous.
- HPV infection: As we discussed earlier, HPV infection is the main cause. Reducing the risk of HPV infection can reduce the risk of cervical cancer.
- Sexual life: Having sex before the age of 18 and having multiple sexual partners increases the risk of HPV infection.
- Smoking: Smoking cigarettes significantly increases the risk of cervical cancer.
- HIV infection: People infected with HIV have a higher risk of developing cervical cancer than the general population.
- Having a weak immune system: When the immune system is weak, the body's ability to fight infections decreases.
Risk factors we cannot control
- DES (diethylstilbestrol): This is a drug that was given to some pregnant women to prevent miscarriages between 1938 and 1971. If your mother took this drug during pregnancy, you may have a slightly increased risk of cervical cancer.
- Family history: If someone in your family (mother, sister) has had cervical cancer, you may also be at risk due to genetic influences.
How is the diagnosis made?
If you suspect you have cervical cancer, your doctor will refer you for several tests.
1. Pap Test / Pap Smear: This is the most basic and important test. In this test, a small sample of cells is taken from the surface of the cervix and examined under a microscope to see if there are any abnormal cells.
2. HPV Test: Similar to a Pap test, this test uses a sample of cells taken from the cervix to check for the presence of HPV strains that are more likely to cause cancer.
3. Colposcopy: If your Pap test results are abnormal, this is the next test you will do. Here, the doctor will use a magnifying instrument (colposcope) to examine your cervix. Any abnormal cells can be clearly seen.
4. Biopsy: If a suspicious area is seen during the colposcopy, a small piece of tissue is removed from that area and sent to a laboratory to confirm whether cancer cells are present. There are several methods for this:
- Punch biopsy: Cutting out a suspicious piece of tissue with a small instrument.
- LEEP (Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure): Removal of abnormal tissue using an electric wire loop.
- Cone biopsy: Removal of a fairly large cone-shaped piece of tissue from the cervix.
If these tests confirm that you have cancer, you may need to have further tests, such as a CT scan or MRI scan , to see if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. This information is used to determine the stage of the cancer and determine the best treatment for you.
What are the treatments for cervical cancer?
Treatment for cervical cancer is determined by the stage of the cancer, your age, general health, and whether you hope to have children in the future.
| Treatment method | Simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Surgery | In the early stages, only the part of the uterus with cancerous cells or the entire uterus and cervix are removed (hysterectomy). The nature of the surgery varies depending on the extent of the spread of the cancer. |
| Radiation Therapy | Destroying cancer cells using high-energy rays (such as X-rays). This can be done either by a machine outside the body or by inserting a radioactive substance into the body. |
| Chemotherapy | Cancer-killing drugs are injected into the body or given as pills. These drugs travel through the bloodstream and kill cancer cells anywhere in the body. |
| Targeted Therapy | This involves administering drugs that target specific proteins that help cancer cells grow and spread, without harming healthy cells. |
| Immunotherapy | Stimulating our body's own immune system, allowing it to identify and destroy cancer cells. |
Sometimes one or more of these treatments may need to be used together. For example, chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be given before or after surgery. Your doctor will explain all of this to you.
Can cervical cancer be prevented?
It definitely is! This is the best news in this article. Cervical cancer is a cancer that we can largely prevent. There are a few things we can do about it.
- Get the HPV vaccine: This is the most important thing. This vaccine helps protect against the main types of HPV that cause cervical cancer. This vaccine is usually recommended for girls and young women. Talk to your doctor about getting this vaccine at the right age for you.
- Get a Pap smear on time: After becoming sexually active, get a Pap smear on the schedule recommended by your doctor. This can detect and treat abnormal cells before they develop into cancer.
- Practice safe sex: Using condoms and limiting the number of sexual partners can help protect you from HPV and other sexually transmitted diseases.
- Avoid smoking: If you smoke, quit. Smokers are about twice as likely to develop cervical cancer as nonsmokers.
How much better is it to prevent cancer before it develops than to suffer after it develops? So following these simple steps will be the biggest investment you can make in your life.
Take-Home Message
- The main cause of cervical cancer is a virus called HPV. However, not everyone infected with this virus develops cancer.
- This cancer rarely shows symptoms in its early stages, so timely screening is very important.
- If you have unusual vaginal discharge, bleeding during menstruation, or bleeding after sex, don't be afraid to see a doctor.
- The HPV vaccine and timely Pap smears are the two best ways to prevent cervical cancer.
- If detected early, cervical cancer is a completely curable disease. Therefore, instead of being afraid of it, it is important to be aware and take action.
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