What is Cervical Cancer?

Cervical cancer is the third most common kind of cancer of the female reproductive system and is one of the leading causes of death in women today.

While the specific cause of cervical cancer is unknown, there are many predisposing factors that have been identified. Having intercourse prior to the age of 16 is one known predisposing factor. Other risk factors are having multiple sexual partners and/or multiple pregnancies. The human papilloma virus has also been identified as a risk factor for having cervical cancer. Additionally, smoking has also been identified as a predisposing factor. The cancer causing agents that occur when one smokes, are deposited in the cervical area in addition to other areas of the body.

In a mild case of the disease, abnormal cervical cells may be identified during an annual pap smear. These cells are located on the lower third of the skin of the cervix. If the cancer is more advanced the abnormal cells will be have consumed the full thickness of the cervical area. Pre-invasive disease, if detected early, is curable in 75% to 90% of women. If the disease is more advanced, depending on the type of cells that appear, the prognosis will be less positive and death can occur from cervical cancer. Invasive cervical cancer is rare in women under 20 and is usually found in women between the ages of 30 and 50.

In the early stages of cervical cancer there are often no signs and symptoms to alert one to the disease. As the disease progresses abnormal vaginal bleeding, persistent vaginal discharge and post coital pain and bleeding may be present. As the disease advances pelvic pain may be present. Also the cancer can eat away a hole between the vaginal and the anal canal that can produce vaginal or fecal leakage. Anorexia, weight loss and anemia may also be a result of advanced cervical cancer.