You must have heard about gynaecological cancers before; an umbrella term that is used for malignancies that affect the reproductive tract of women. This means that such cancers are specific to women only, and can’t affect men. One such cancer is cervical cancer, which originates from the cells and tissues that line the cervix. This refers to the lower part of the uterus, where it connects with the vagina.
Cervical cancer happens to be the 4th most common cancer affecting women across the globe. The cancer is usually diagnosed in women between the age group of 35 to 44 years and is extremely rare in women below 20 years, although the risks are never completely nil.
Just like most other cancers, cervical cancer can also metastasize, i.e. the cancer cells can spread to the areas surrounding the cervix and gradually to further areas of the body, giving rise to secondary cancer. Surprisingly, in the majority of the cases, the cancer is caused by HPV or human papillomavirus, which is a sexually transmitted infection.
Do you have cervical cancer?
The best way to know if you have a certain disease or ailment, is by looking at the symptoms. Unfortunately, some conditions may not initially show symptoms, and become detectable only when the condition has progressed - the same can be said for cervical cancer. Therefore, if you are experiencing any of the related symptoms, it is fairly owing to the fact that the cancer has progressed. However, there are several treatment options using different modalities that can help manage the condition, and improve the life of the individual Hence, it is crucial to see a doctor and have yourself evaluated if you are experiencing any of these symptoms lately:
Watch out for these symptoms and seek proper medical help if you can relate to any of the above.
Dr. Sunny Garg
Head of Department and Senior Consultant
Medical Oncology