6 Important Facts About Cervical Cancer You Should Know

Cervical cancer is a quite dangerous condition that affects many women all over the world. It occurs when the cervical cells become abnormal. Due to the fact that cervical cancer can be diagnosed only during the gynecological examination, regular check-ups are essential. In this article, we gathered six important facts about cervical cancer you should know.

1. Cervical cancer can be caused by HPV

Human papillomavirus tends to be one of the most common causes of cervical cancer. This virus is considered a sexually transmitted infection but it can also be passed through skin-to-skin contact. However, HPV has a lot of kinds and only two of them are cancerous. 

Human papillomavirus can be recognized with the help of a free Pap smear. This test shows the presence of a virus in the body and its amount. The higher contamination of HPV you have, the higher risk of developing cervical cancer can be observed. Due to the fact that a Pap smear is not included in the regular gynecological exam, you should ask your gynecologist about it. 

2. Cervical cancer can develop asymptomatically

Unfortunately, cervical cancer can develop in women for years without any obvious symptoms. This usually leads to belated diagnosis and more complicated treatment as a result. At the later stages, cervical cancer requires more difficult and complex treatment options that include:

• Medical procedures

• Medications (including chemotherapy)

• Surgery

If the affected area is little, the surgeon can remove the cervix and neighboring tissues without any significant damage to the uterus. However, if cancer had spread to the uterus, a hysterectomy can be the most appropriate and safe treatment option.

3. Cervical cancer can be prevented

As mentioned above, cervical cancer is mostly caused by human papillomavirus. It is important to know that you can avoid infection with this virus. There are special vaccines that may save you from HPV. However, they work only if there is no virus in your body.

It is important to understand that the possibility to get HPV is quite hight. If you are sexually active women, it is recommended to get a vaccine against HPV as soon as possible. You can also perform vaccination even if you have not yet begun sex life. This will help you reduce the likelihood of cervical cancer development. 

4. Cervical cancer can cause pain and bleeding during sex

Despite the fact that cervical cancer can develop without any obvious symptoms, it can still cause pain and bleeding during sex. However, many women don’t connect these signs with cervical cancer and usually neglect their condition. You should understand that this may lead to severe cancerous damage.

When cervical cells change, they can be sensitive to various irritants. That’s why you may notice bloody discharge after sex. Moreover, if the sex itself became painful, it’s hight time to visit a gynecologist. Due to the fact that cervical cancer more often affects women of the reproductive age, pain during sex can be the symptom that should alarm you.

5. Cervical cancer can spread to other organs

One of the most dangerous consequences of cervical cancer is its ability to affect other organs. Moreover, due to the fact that it can develop asymptomatically for years, timely treatment of early stages can be skipped. In most cases, cervical cancer metastasizes in the lungs, liver, bladder, vagina, and rectum. This may result in prolonged duration of treatment and more radical treatment options.

The reality is that the treatment of such an advanced condition requires professional help, self-treatment is not advised. Moreover, if you were diagnosed with cervical cancer and don’t want to undergo medical treatment, you may face the unpleasant and even life-threatening consequences over time.

6. Cervical cancer is aggravated by smoking

You should know that smoking affects not only the lungs and throat, it can also contribute to the development of cervical cancer. Women who smoke usually double their chances to get cervical cancer. The reality is that smoking interferes with the natural reaction of the body to the virus. This means that the immunity will not so actively fight against the HPV. 

In addition, smoking contributes to the changes in cervical cells. It is not a secret that tobacco by-products are carcinogens. Some studies show that they are accumulated in the cervical tissues and may damage the DNA of cervix cells. That’s why it is better to quit smoking even if you don’t have cervical cancer.