Women and Cervical Cancer: Factors That Increase the Risk
Presently, cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of death among women worldwide. Cervical cancer is a cancer that forms in the cervix which is the lower part of the uterus.
As with the other kinds of cancer, science cannot explain why a woman develops cervical cancer. There are some predisposing factors however that leads and increases the chance to develop cancer. These factors may act together to increase the risk even more.
Human papiloma virus (HPV)
Infection with HPV is the highest and most common cause of cervical cancer. There are more than 60 types of HPV that are acknowledged to exist. Of these, 15 are classified as high-risk types (16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 68, 73, 82), 3 as probable high-risk (26, 53, 66), and 12 as low-risk (6, 11, 40, 42, 43, 44, 54, 61, 70, 72, 81, CP6108). Types 16 and 18 are generally acknowledged to cause about 70% of the cancer cases.
Weak immune system
The immune system is our body’s natural defense and if this is weakened, then different diseases will invade or body.
Age
Cervical cancer is most common in women aged 40 and above.
Sexual history
Women who have different sexual partners are more at risk than women who are monogamous. But even if the woman is monogamous but her partner is not, then she is still at a higher risk.
Prolonged use of birth control pills
Use of birth control pills for 5 years or more increases the risk of developing cervical cancer.
Having many children
Studies shows that women who have borne many children are at a high risk of developing cervical cancer especially among women who are infected with HPV.
Smoking
Women smokers who have HPV infection are at a higher risk than women who do not smoke.
Diethylstilbestrol
Exposure to this drug increases the risk of developing cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer, especially in the early stages is asymptomatic. The signs and symptoms of cervical cancer are:
- vaginal bleeding - during intercourse, in between menstrual periods, after douching or pelvic exam, abnormally long menstrual periods, bleeding after menopause
- moderate pain during intercourse
- abnormal vaginal discharge
- advance stages will show metastases
Cervical cancer can be diagnosed by the following tests:
- Pap smear
Pap smear that is done regularly is the key to early detection of cervical cancer. If your pap smear shows precancerous cells, then your doctor will recommend you for further confirmatory testing. - Colposcopy
The doctor uses a colposcope to look at the cervix. Colposcopy is done if the result of a Pap smear is abnormal or when the cervix looks abnormal during the collection of a Pap smear. - Biopsy
A tissue sample of the cervix is taken and examined under the microscope. There are many types of biopsy that are commonly performed like punch biopsy, loop electrical excision procedure (LEEP), endocervical curettage and conization.
Cervical cancer is staged by the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging system.
- Stage 0: full-thickness involvement of the epithelium without invasion into the stroma
- Stage I: limited to the cervix
- Stage II: invades beyond the cervix
- Stage III: extends to pelvic wall or lower third of the vagina
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