Cervical cancer - symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis and treatment

Cervical cancer is one of the oncological diseases of the reproductive organs, which is at the forefront of malignant tumors that lead to premature death. The optimistic data on the decrease in the number of patients with advanced cervical cancer give hope for an improvement in the situation, but very few women still remember the necessary prevention.

Cervical cancer belongs to a group of cancers that can be detected at an early stage with a simple test. Cytological examination - after all, we are talking about it - saved the lives of many women of all ages. Experts emphasize that cervical cancer can be effectively dealt with, but the cooperation of women is needed, who must undergo a systematic examination. It is important to note that cytological examination also reveals precancerous conditions, the treatment of which avoids the development of an aggressive malignant tumor.

1. Cervical cancer and other cancers in women in numbers

Every year more than 1500 Polish women die from cervical cancer. Over the past decade, the number of deaths from this cancer has decreased by more than 15%, which is a huge success, but the statistics are still not encouraging. Many deaths due to cancer in women, which also include, incl. breast cancer and ovarian cancer could have been avoided if women had regular check-ups.

It is estimated that slightly more than 50% of Polish women of reproductive age, in perimenopause and postmenopause, undergo regular gynecological examinations. Some women resort to gynecological examinations only during pregnancy and after childbirth. Perimenopause is a special time in a woman’s life when the risk of developing breast and cervical cancer increases significantly, which is associated, among other things, with hormonal changes.

Cervical cancer mainly affects women over 60 years of age, but younger women can also develop. On average, cancer develops from several to even several years.

Cervical cancer is a serious problem not only in Poland. Approximately half a million women worldwide have been diagnosed with cervical cancer. Compared to European countries, Poland has one of the highest rates of morbidity and mortality from this type of cancer.

2. Why does cervical cancer occur? - causes of cervical cancer

Risk factors that play a role in the development of the disease include: early onset of sexual activity and infection with the human papillomavirus. The human papillomavirus (HPV) is responsible for more than 95% of cervical cancers and is one of the sexually transmitted diseases. Infection usually occurs shortly after the onset of sexual intercourse. The risk of contracting the disease is reduced by vaccination against HPV, which is not included in the group of mandatory vaccinations. In some regions of Poland, vaccinations against the human papillomavirus are provided free of charge.

HPV infection can be diagnosed at any stage of life with specialized tests. They are of great importance in the prevention of this cancer - a positive test result is an indication for more frequent cytological studies.

Other risk factors for cervical cancer include:

• tobacco smoking,

• age over 60 years old,

• frequent change of sexual partners,

• risky sexual behavior (casual sex),

• untreated or improperly treated intimate infections and sexually transmitted diseases.

The risk of developing cervical cancer increases with:

women taking immunosuppressants;

women with congenital and acquired immune disorders;

women who have been using hormonal contraception for a long time;

women on a low-nutrient diet, i.e. natural antioxidants and healthy fats.

Many factors have been identified that increase the risk of developing cervical cancer. This disease is not included in the group of genetically determined diseases, however, the occurrence of cervical cancer in women from close relatives should motivate regular preventive examinations and consultations with a doctor for symptoms that may indicate diseases of the reproductive organs.

3. Prevention of cervical cancer

Prevention of cervical cancer includes, first of all, systematic cytological studies. The first cytology should be carried out no later than 2-3 years after the onset of sexual activity. Molecular testing for HPV infection is recommended for women over 30 years of age.

Women who do not have sexual intercourse should have their first Pap smear no later than 25 years of age. Not having sex is not an effective “cure” for cervical cancer and does not protect against the disease.

Prevention of cervical cancer in young girls includes HPV vaccination before sexual intercourse. It is worth deciding to get vaccinated, because it is an investment in the health of your daughter or granddaughter - the human papillomavirus vaccine reduces the risk of getting sick by about 90%. Vaccination, however, is not an indication to refuse screening studies, including cytological studies.

4. Cervical Cancer: What is a Pap smear?

Every woman needs to regularly conduct a cytological examination, which consists in taking a smear from the cervix and submitting biological material for histopathological examination. Cytology is not a particularly unpleasant test - taking a smear with a special brush can cause mild discomfort. Gynecologists emphasize that women avoid cytology because they are afraid that the result of the analysis will indicate cancer. Unfortunately, you can still meet the belief that it is better not to know that you are sick.

Moreover, the very visit to the gynecologist causes shame and inadequate attitude in women. A gynecologist is the same doctor as any other, although he is engaged in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, one way or another related to our closeness. It is important to note that awareness of the risks of avoiding gynecological examinations is growing every year. Little patients with mothers and grandmothers are increasingly visiting specialists, which confirms the legitimacy of a social campaign on ovarian cancer, cervical cancer and breast cancer.

Prophylactic cytology should be performed every 2-3 years, if previous results do not reveal alarming changes in the cervical mucosa.

What is important: cytology is a test that allows you to detect not only cancer at various stages of its development, but also changes that occur in the endometrium before the formation of cancer cells. Treating a precancerous condition is less complicated than treating cancer and avoids the risks associated with its development.

Squamous cell carcinoma is most often diagnosed in the cervix. In rare cases, adenocarcinoma develops in the reproductive organs.

5. Symptoms of cervical cancer

The symptoms of cervical cancer depend on the stage of the cancer. Cervical cancer develops asymptomatically for a long time. By the time disturbing ailments appear on the part of the reproductive organ, it is already in an advanced stage of development.

Important! Cervical cancer for many years may not cause symptoms so alarming that they prompt a visit to the gynecologist. It can take up to 10 years from the onset of the neoplastic process to the advanced stage of the disease. Meanwhile, there are non-specific symptoms and ailments that women often attribute to, among other things, changes in the body that are associated with menopause, stress and the natural aging process of the body.

Symptoms of cervical cancer include:

• light bleeding between periods (bleeding that occurs during ovulation does not indicate cancer)

• bleeding after intercourse

• pain during intercourse

• chronic pain in the lower abdomen,

• purulent or bloody, very profuse discharge, not accompanied by typical symptoms of an intimate infection.

Cervical cancer can also be indicated by the sudden appearance of very heavy, prolonged periods, as well as the occurrence of bleeding after menopause.

Although cervical cancer is most commonly diagnosed in women who have gone through menopause, symptoms of the disease can appear earlier in life.

6. Cervical cancer: diagnosis and oncological treatment of cervical cancer.

The basis for the diagnosis of cervical cancer is a cytological examination. In women who do not undergo regular screening examinations, the diagnosis is most often made on the basis of emerging symptoms, which are an indication for a gynecological examination, ultrasound of the abdominal organs and taking a smear for cytology.

With the detection of cervical cancer, the struggle for life begins, which is not easy, and the success of treatment largely depends on the stage of the cancer, as well as the general health of the patient. Cervical cancer is classified as a malignant tumor and metastasizes, including infiltrating surrounding organs, such as the liver, and giving distant metastases to the bones and lungs. The stage of the disease and the presence of metastases in the body can be assessed by the results of imaging studies (X-ray, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging).

Treatment of cervical cancer does not always allow sparing treatment, which consists in local removal of neoplasms. Most cases of advanced cancer require radical treatment of cervical cancer, consisting of complete removal of the uterus and supportive treatment, which may include, for example, chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

In the case of metastases, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are used in the treatment of cervical cancer. Depending on where they are located (for example, in the cervix), the appropriate treatment method is selected.

7. Prognosis - cervical cancer.

The chances of a complete cure depend on the stage of cervical cancer. The disease in the early stages of development has a very good prognosis, so it is worth remembering a systematic cytological study. In the case of advanced cervical cancer, the chances of a complete cure are sharply reduced. General health and the presence of metastases also affect the prognosis of patients.