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