Cervical cancer is cancer that grows within the cells of the cervix — the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. Various strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection, play a role in causing most cervical cancer, which is why it is important to ensure safe sexual activity at all times.
When exposed to HPV, the body's immune system typically prevents the virus from doing harm. In a small percentage of people, however, the virus survives for many years, making some cervical cells cancerous as time goes by.
Forms of HPV, a virus whose different types cause skin warts, genital warts, and other abnormal skin disorders, have been shown to lead to many of the changes in cervical cells that may eventually lead to cancer. Certain types of HPV infections have also been linked to cancers involving the vulva, vagina, penis, etc. Genetic material that comes from certain forms of HPV (high-risk subtypes) has been found in cervical tissues that show cancerous
or precancerous cells.
In addition, women who have been diagnosed with HPV are more likely to develop cervical cancer. Girls who begin sexual activity before age 16 or within a year of starting their menstrual periods are at high risk of developing cervical cancer.
As in many cancers, symptoms during the early stage of cervical cancer may go unnoticed.
The symptoms of cervical cancer include:
- Pain, when the cancer is advanced
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding (other than during menstruation)
- Abnormal vaginal discharge
- Pelvic pain
- Kidney failure due to a urinary tract
- Bowel obstruction, when the cancer is advanced
Today, numerous tests such as cervical cancer screenings, pap tests or HPV tests can help detect the early development of cancer cells and abnormal cells.
If you are between the ages of 9 and 45, the HPV vaccine helps protect you against certain types of HPV that can lead to cancer or genital warts. Side effects of the vaccine may include:
- High temperature or feeling hot and shivery
- Feeling sick (nausea)
- Pain in the arms, hands, fingers, legs and feet
If you are interested to know more about the HPV Vaccine, feel free to reach out to us or call us on +917775058199.
