| Cervical cancer is a malignancy of the | | | | that is incredibly common in the population. |
| cervix. All over the globe it is the second | | | | HPV is the virus that causes genital warts, |
| most common cancer in women. Scientists are | | | | but having genital warts doesn't necessarily |
| studying cervical cancer to find out more | | | | mean getting cervical cancer. There are |
| about how it develops and they are looking at | | | | different subtypes, or strains, of HPV and |
| better ways to detect and treat it. | | | | only certain subtypes are likely to cause |
| | | | cervical cancer, and the subtypes that cause |
| This illness sets in when cells in the cervix | | | | warts are unlikely to develop the illness. |
| begin to grow uncontrollably forming a mass | | | | However, almost all cancers of the cervix |
| of extra tissue called tumor. Malignant | | | | haveevidence of HPV virus in them, so |
| tumors are cancer cells, and can invade and | | | | infection is a major risk factor for |
| damage adjacent tissues and organs. Cancer | | | | developing it. Because infection with a |
| cells can also break away from a malignant | | | | sexually transmitted disease is a risk factor |
| tumor and enter the lymphatic system or the | | | | for cervical cancer, any risk factors for |
| bloodstream. This is how cervical cancer | | | | developing sexually transmitted diseases are |
| spread to other parts of the body such as | | | | also risk factors for developing the disease. |
| nearby lymph nodes, the rectum, the bladder, | | | | Another important risk factor is smoking; |
| the bones of the spine, and the lungs. | | | | smokers are at least twice as likely as |
| Spreading of the cancer is a process. | | | | non-smokers to develop cervix tumors. |
| | | | |
| Cancer of the cervix is different from cancer | | | | Symptoms of the disease may not appear during |
| that begins in other parts of the uterus and | | | | the early stages of the cancer that is why it |
| requires different treatment. Most cancers of | | | | is important to have screening Pap tests. |
| this kind are squamous cell carcinomas. | | | | When the tumor grows in size, it produces a |
| Squamous cells are thin, flat cells that form | | | | variety of symptoms including abnormal |
| the surface of the cervix. The second most | | | | bleeding (including bleeding after sexual |
| common form is adenocarcinoma which comes | | | | intercourse, in between periods, heavier |
| from cells that make up glands in the cervix. | | | | longer lasting menstrual bleeding, or |
| | | | bleeding after menopause), abnormal vaginal |
| Cancer of the cervix may present vaginal | | | | discharge (may be foul smelling), pelvic or |
| bleeding but symptoms may be absent until the | | | | back pain, pain on urination, blood in the |
| cancer is in advanced stages, which has made | | | | stool or urine. Although having these |
| cervical cancer the focus of intense | | | | symptoms may not mean that you have cervical |
| screening efforts utilizing the Pap smear. | | | | cancer, it is always best to consult with |
| Most scientific studies have found that human | | | | your doctor once you experience any of these |
| papillomavirus (HPV) infection is responsible | | | | problems. If it is detected early, it can be |
| for ninety percent of the cases of cervical | | | | treated without impairing fertility. |
| cancer. HPV is a sexually transmitted disease | | | | |