Cervical Cancer Signs and Symptoms: Lessons to Learn from Jade Goody

Jade Goody’s death from cervical cancer has taught us that we must be careful with this deadly disease. There are lessons to be learned from the Jade Goody episode for us to keep a close eye on possible symptoms, signs, and possible cures for cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer ranks first among cancers in women in most developing countries. It constitutes 34 percent of all cancers in women. The approximate worldwide incidence of women suffering from cervical cancer annually is 500,000. Although women of all ages are at risk, cervical cancer is seen primarily in women ages 30 to 55, with the average age being 47.

Unfortunately, most people are not informed about cervical cancer. It has nothing to do with your spinal cord or your neck. It is a disease in which cancer cells are seen in the tissues of the cervix. The cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus, connects the vagina to the body of the uterus. The cervix is ​​pink. It is covered in squamous cells, which have a scale-like appearance. The cervical canal is lined with another type of cell, known as columnar cells. The area where these two types of cells meet, called the T zone or transformation zone, is the area most likely to cause abnormal cell growth.

How can I know if I have cervical cancer? In the early stages, it is quite difficult to tell if you have cervical cancer because there are no obvious symptoms. Irregular bleeding, bleeding or pain during sexual intercourse or vaginal discharge, chronic low back pain, which are symptoms that may be related to cervical cancer, offers its appearance in an advanced stage.

Who is at risk for cervical cancer?

• Those who have unprotected sex: Most sexually active women have the potential to carry an HPV virus that is spread through skin-to-skin contact with an HPV-infected area. Intercourse at a young age, unprotected intercourse, and multiple sexual partners increase a woman’s chances of becoming infected with HPV. In other words, HPV infection can lead to cervical cancer. Using condoms for unprotected sex may not help because the virus can be spread through skin-to-skin contact in the genital area, which is not covered by a condom. But that does not mean that one should not use a condom, it is very important to protect yourself against AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases.
• Smoking: Smoking increases a woman’s risk of getting cervical cancer. The chemical produced by smoking tobacco can damage the DNA of the cells of the cervix, making them cancerous.
• Chlamdiya Infection: Chlamydia infection, which is bacterial in nature, is also a cayusa, brought on by sexual contact.
• Diet deficient in fruits and vegetables: Women who do not eat enough fruits or vegetables miss out on the antioxidant properties that keep cancer at bay. Phytochemicals such as vitamins A, C, E and beta-carotene are known to prevent cervical cancer.
• HIV infection: Women who have a weak immune system due to diseases such as HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) can also get cervical cancer.
• Long-term oral contraceptives: Long-term use of contraceptives for, say, 5 years or more can increase a woman’s chance of developing cervical cancer.
• Family history of cervical cancer: Women who have a family history of cervical cancer are also at risk. A person who has a family history of this disease may be less genetically equipped to better fight HPV infection than other women.

How is cervical cancer diagnosed? As mentioned above, pain or bleeding during intercourse or otherwise vaginal discharge are some signs; but they do not mean that you have cervical cancer. It is best if you see a doctor who will ask you to have a Pap test.

In a Pap test, a standard speculum or device used to examine the cervix is ​​placed into the vagina. Cells are removed from the surface of the cervical surface with a cotton swab and then smeared onto a glass slide. Another sample is taken from the T-zone with a plastic spatula. There are newer techniques known as liquid-based Pap tests that provide a higher degree of accuracy. The slide is sent to a laboratory where a cytotechnologist (a person who reviews slides) and a pathologist examine the sample for abnormalities. The Pap test is usually accurate and can be used to find cervical cancers even in their earliest stages. To increase the reliability of the Pap test, see your doctor two weeks after your last menstrual period and avoid intercourse, douching, using tampons, or using vaginal creams, powders, suppositories, sprays, etc. at least 48 hours before the test.

An abnormal Pap report does NOT mean you have cervical cancer. It simply means that you have some type of cellular change in the cells that cover the surface of the cervix. A Pap smear is only a means of screening, there are other tests that are important in confirming Pap smear abnormalities and diagnosing the disease. You need to have some kind of follow-up, retest after a few months. Depending on the degree of the abnormality, the doctor may also recommend a biopsy, colposcopy (enlarged view of the vagina and cervix), or curettage.

What should be the regularity of the Pap test:

Screening should begin three years after a woman begins having sexual intercourse. It is recommended to have a Pap test every two to three years. The combination of HPV testing with a Pap test should be considered for routine screening for women over 30 years of age. Please visit my blog below for information on cervical cancer cure.