What I Need to Know – Cervical Cancer
By Dr. Ayotunde Olutunde
Cervical cancer is cancer that forms in the tissues of the cervix. The cervix is part of a woman’s reproductive system. It is the lowest, narrow part of the womb.
What is Cancer?
Cancer results when cells divide uncontrollably in the body leading to amass of tissue which is harmful to the body.
Burden of Cervical Cancer
In Nigeria, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women, especially among those between 15 and 44 years of age. It constitutes one of the most common cancers that affect women’s reproductive organs and the rampage is unrestrained.
- The annual number of cervical cancer cases – 14550
- The annual number of cervical cancer deaths – 9659
- Projected number of new cervical cancer cases in 2025 – 22914
- Crude incidence rates per 100,000 population and year – 19.3%
From WHO/ICO HPV information centre 3rd Ed.2010.
Causes and Risk Factors
Cervical cancer begins with abnormal changes in the cervical tissue. The risk of developing these abnormal changes has been associated with certain factors:
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. This is the most important risk factor. Almost all cases of cervical cancer have HPV in the cells.
- Having many sexual partners: the greater your number of sexual partners- and the greater your partner’s number of sexual partners — the greater your chance of acquiring HPV.
- Smoking: the chemicals in the cigarette interact with cells in the cervix leading to abnormal proliferation.
- Early sexual contact.
- Long-term use of birth control pills.
Presenting Features
Similar to many cancers, there may be no symptom or sign of cervical cancer until it has progressed to a dangerous stage. However, the most common symptom is abnormal vaginal bleeding. This is any bleeding from the vagina other than during menstruation. This may be bleeding after intercourse, between periods, or after menopause. Others are watery, bloody vaginal discharge that may be heavy and have a foul odour, Pelvic pain, or pain during intercourse.
When to see a Doctor?
Make an appointment with your doctor if you have any signs or symptoms that worry you.
Treatment
Cervical cancer that is caught early can usually be cured. The treatment for cervical cancer include:
- Surgery
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
However, the treatment depends on how much cancer has grown. There may be one or a combination of treatments.
Outlook
The prognosis for cervical cancer depends on the stage of cancer when it is found.
The stage of a cancer is a measure of how far it has progressed. In other words, what other organs or tissues have been invaded.
- For the earliest stage, more than 90% of women survive at least 5 years after diagnosis.
- Later stages have a significantly worse outlook.
Prevention
The key to preventing invasive cervical cancer is to detect any cell changes early before they become cancerous.
- Pap smears: scrapping of the cervical cells and viewing them under the microscope for cell changes.
- You should have your first Pap smear when you become sexually active, irrespective of your age.
- If you are not sexually active, you should have your first Pap smear at 18 years or earlier.
- In both cases, you should have a yearly Pap smear.
- Vaccination against HPV: Vaccines can protect against the most dangerous types of HPV. The vaccine is most effective if given to girls before they become sexually active. There are two of this vaccine now. Gardasil and Cervarix.
Conclusion
Cervical cancer is common amongst Nigerian women and is responsible for significant mortality of women that suffer from it. However, this disease can be cured if detected very early.
Regular Pap smears will help to significantly reduce disease burden and death from cervical cancer.
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