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