The main cause of cervical cancer is the presence of HPV type 6, 11, 16 or 18, a sexually transmitted disease caused by the Human Papilloma Virus, as it stimulates the appearance of changes in the DNA of cells, leading to the appearance of cancer.
Cervical cancer, also called cervical cancer, has a greater risk from the age of 20, but it appears mainly in women between 40 and 60 years of age. Other risk factors that can favor the development of cervical cancer are:
- Very early onset of sexual life; Having multiple sexual partners; Do not use condoms during intimate contact; Having any STDs, such as genital herpes, chlamydia, or AIDS; Having had multiple births; Poor personal hygiene; Prolonged use of oral contraceptives for more than 10 years; Taking immunosuppressive drugs or corticosteroids in case of Lupus; Exposure to ionizing radiation; Having already had a disease called squamous dysplasia of the vulva or vagina; Low intake of vitamin A, C, beta-carotene and folic acid.
In addition, it is important to remember that adenocarcinoma, endometriosis, family history and smoking and excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages also increase the risk of developing cervical cancer.
The human papilloma virus affects a large part of the population and it is estimated that practically all women are infected at some point in life, however the presence of the virus does not indicate that the woman will have cancer, because it is possible to eliminate HPV with treatment indicated by the gynecologist, which is done with ointments, creams and cauterization for about 2 years, and manages to completely eliminate the virus.
HPV can have spontaneous remission and in this case it has no symptoms, however, in some cases it can cause injuries with a high chance of becoming malignant. As the disease progresses, the main symptoms that the cancer has developed are vaginal bleeding, discharge and pelvic pain.
How to prevent
The main way to prevent cervical cancer is to avoid HPV infection or to identify and treat the disease early on by having a pap smear. The evolution of HPV is slow and can take between 15 and 20 years for the virus to cause cancer, which is why follow-up with the gynecologist and the appropriate treatment of the disease are effective in preventing complications and preventing cancer. Learn how to treat HPV.
Thus, you should go to the gynecologist to have a pap smear at least once a year, in addition to taking the HPV vaccine. Quitting smoking, always using condoms in intimate relationships and having good intimate hygiene are also measures that help prevent this type of cancer. Having healthy living habits and exercising regularly also helps to protect against cervical cancer.
Types of cervical cancer
Cervical cancer can be classified as:
- Tx: Primary tumor not identified T0: No evidence of primary tumor Tis or 0: Carcinoma in situ
Stage 1:
- T1 or I: Cervical carcinoma only in the uterus T1 a or IA: Invasive carcinoma, diagnosed only by microscopy T1 a1 or IA1: Stromal invasion up to 3 mm deep or up to 7 mm horizontally T1 a2 or IA2: Stromal invasion between 3 and 5 mm deep or up to 7 mm horizontally T1b or IB: Clinically visible lesion, only on the cervix, or microscopic lesion greater than T1a2 or IA2 T1b1 or IB1: Clinically visible lesion 4 cm or less in its largest dimension T1b2 IB2: Clinically visible lesion larger than 4 cm in its largest dimension
Stage 2:
- T2 or II: Tumor found inside and outside the uterus, but does not reach the pelvic wall or the lower third of the vagina T2a or IIA: Without invasion of the parameter T2b or IIB: With invasion of the parameter
Stage 3:
- T3 or III: Tumor that extends to the pelvic wall, compromises the lower part of the vagina, or causes kidney changes T3a or IIIA: Tumor that compromises the lower third of the vagina, without extension to the pelvic wall T3b or IIIB: Tumor that extends to the pelvic wall, or causes kidney changes
Stage 4:
- T4 or IVA: Tumor that invades the bladder or rectal mucosa, or that extends beyond the pelvis
In addition to knowing the type of cervical cancer that the person has, it is also important to know if there are affected lymph nodes and metastases or not, because this determines what type of treatment the person has. Find out how cervical cancer treatment is done.
