Cervical Cancer
Overview
What is the Cervical Cancer?
Cervical Cancer arises from the cells lining the cervix, which is an opening between the vagina and the womb. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer and accounts for 22.86% of the total cancer burden among Indian women. It is most commonly seen among women who are in their 30s and 40s.
Epidemiology
Chronic Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection is identified as the causative factor for more than 90% of cervical cancer cases. More than 100 types of Human Papillomavirus have been identified, and of these, about 15 of them are high-risk types with the potential to cause various types of anogenital cancers, namely cervical, vulval, vaginal, anal and penile cancers, along with oropharyngeal cancers.
Risk Factors
In most cases, cervical cancers are caused due to Human papillomavirus or HPV infection, which is a common infection of the reproductive tract in women. HPV infection is largely transmitted through sexual contact. Most of these infections and the precancerous lesions that are caused due to the infection clear up spontaneously through the body’s natural defence mechanism. Following are other risk factors that are associated with cervical cancer:
- Weaker Immune System
- Smoking
- Age
Diagnosis
There are various methods to detect and diagnose cervical cancer:
a. Physical Examination
b. Colposcopy
c. Biopsy
d. Imaging tests
Treatment
Different treatment options available for cervical cancer management include surgery, radiation therapy and systemic therapies, such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapy. The treatment plan is made based on the stage and nature of the disease and the overall condition of the patient.
