The cervix is at the bottom of the uterus, the place where a baby grows during pregnancy. Cervical cancer is caused by some type of virus called human papillomaviruses (HPV). The virus spreads through sexual contact. Most of the female body able to fight HPV infection. But sometimes the virus causes cancer. You are at higher risk if you smoke, have many children, the Pill for a long time, or HIV infection.

Cervical cancer may not cause any symptoms at first, but then, you may feel pain in your pelvis or bleeding from the vagina. Usually it took several years for normal cells in the cervix change into cancer cells. Your health care provider can find abnormal cells in Pap test – examining cells from the cervix under a microscope. By doing regular Pap tests and pelvic exams, you will be able to find and treat the cells before they turn into cancer. Vaccine for girls and young women can protect against four types of HPV that cause most cervical cancers.

Doctors recommend that women reduce the risk of cervical cancer with Pap smears regularly. Pap test (sometimes called a Pap smear or cervical smear) is a simple test used to look at cervical cells. Pap tests can find cervical cancer or abnormal cells that can cause cervical cancer. Finding and treating abnormal cells can prevent most cervical cancer. In addition, Pap tests can help find cancer early, when treatment is more effective.

The Stages:

Stages of cancer based on where cancer is found. The following are the stages of invasive cervical cancer:

- Stage I: The tumor has invaded the cervix beneath the upper layer cells. Cancer cells are found only in the cervix.

- Stage II: The tumor extends into the upper vagina. Perhaps beyond the cervix into nearby tissues to the pelvic wall (lining of the body between the hips). The tumor did not attack the lower third of the vagina or pelvic wall.

- Stage III: Tumor extends to the underside of the vagina. May also have invaded the pelvic wall. If the tumors block the flow of urine, one or both kidneys can not work properly.

- Stage IV: Tumor attack the bladder or rectum. Or the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

- Recurrent cancer: Cancer has been treated, but had returned after a period of time that can not be detected. Cancer can arise again in the cervix or in other parts of the body.

Women with cervical cancer have many treatment options. The options are surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or combination of methods. Choice of treatment depends mainly on tumor size and whether the cancer has spread. Treatment options may also depend on whether you plan to become pregnant someday. Your doctor can describe your treatment options, expected results of each treatment, and possible side effects. You and your doctor can work together to develop a plan of your medical care appropriate to individual needs.

Your doctor may refer you to a specialist, or you can ask for referrals. You may want to see gynecologic oncology, a surgeon who specializes in treating women’s cancers. Other specialists who treat cervical cancer included gynecologists, medical oncologists and radiation oncologists. Your health care team may also include an oncology nurse, and registered dieticians.

Before treatment starts, ask your health care team about the possible side effects and how treatment can change your normal activities. Because cancer treatments often damage healthy cells and tissues, side effects are common. Side effects may not be the same for everyone, and may be changed at a subsequent treatment sessions. At each stage of the disease, additional treatments are available to reduce the side effects of treatment, to control pain and other symptoms, and help you overcome the feelings that arise due to cancer diagnostics.

Cervical Cancer is defined as a malignant growth of the cervical area. Vaginal bleeding may be indicative of this disease buy symptoms may not show themselves until advanced stages of this illness. Papsmear screening can indicate precancerous growths and speed up treatment and provide different options of treatment.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is an infection that is a factor in almost all cervical cancer cases. This disease is knows as the “common cold” of sexual transmitted infection and affects more than 80% of all sexually active adults, whether they have symptoms or not. Women or men who have many sexual partners are of greatest risk.

Genital Warts are also caused by various strains of HPV and are not relevant to this cancer, however it is possible to have multiple strains at the same time, those that cause warts and those that cause cervical cancer. The American Cancer Society deems that a patient must be infected with HPV to develop cervical cancer, but most women with this high risk HPV do not develop this disease. Use of condoms can reduce but does not always prohibit the contraction of this disease. Likewise, skin to skin contact with infected areas can spread the HPV virus.

Carcinogens from tobacco heightens the risk for many forms of cancer including cervical cancer and smoking doubles the risk to that of a nonsmoker. Low immune systems from not consuming the adequate amounts of fruits and vegetables is also another high risk group. Increasing these actually decreases the risk and/or the persistence of this disease.

Worldwide, this cancer is the twelfth most common cancer and the fifth most deadly cancer in women.

Women of this age have grown far from the beliefs from the previous centuries of old. Women now have started to become independent and have now been more involved in the work force in the world we live in today. One of the biggest threats in stopping women in continuing their growth is cervical cancer. This type of cancer is when there is an abnormal growth in the tissues in the cervix that result to a tumor that might infect not only the cervix but other systems of the body as well in the long run. Cervical cancer survival rates in the initial stage are at the high 90 percent chance of survival.

Cervical cancer survival rates are greatly depended to the stage it is upon. This type of cancer usually begins on the surface where the malignant cancer cells have not the deeper tissues in the cervix. When it reaches its second stage the cervical tumor spread within the tissues of the cervix but not beyond the pelvic area. The third stage begins when the cancer cells have infiltrated and infected the nearby tissues beyond the pelvic area. During this stage the malignant tumors start to invade other tissues until it reaches and infects other systems of the body at its final stage.

There are a lot of possible ways of preventing cancer of the cervix. There are now vaccinations available that could reduce the risk of having this disease at all. Smoking also increases the risk of having cervical cancer, so people who reduce or stop smoking at all will help you reduce the chance of having this malignant type of cancer. According to various researches as well, high level of vegetable consumption may as very well reduce the risks of having any type of cancer as well at a 54 percent ratio. A healthy lifestyle may very well be the key to reducing the risk of having cancer. We should at the very least try to allocate 10 minutes of the day to move and exercise.

Cervical cancer survival rates can be increased. Women should just at the very least have a healthy lifestyle that is comparable to their skills in the business world. If you notice any signs that you may have cervical cancer, you must immediately seek professional help in order to determine whether you have this malignant disease or not. And if so, find the right treatment and medication that is suitable for the current stage you have been diagnosed with.

Cervical cancer is a malignant tumor that is formed in the cervix- a female’s reproductive organ which connects the uterus and vagina. Usually, it is considered as a slow-growing tumor that may not have signs and symptoms at first but can be detected by regularly having Pap Tests, a procedure in which cells are scraped from the cervix and viewed under a microscope. It is mainly caused by a virus known as human papillomavirus or HPV and it can be of two types.

1. The squamous cell carcinoma which arises in the squamous epithelial cells that line in the cervix.
2. Adenocarcinoma which arises in the glandular epithelial cells.

Cervical Cancer Facts:

There are certainties about this type of cancer.

• It is one of the most preventable of all types of cancer.
• Getting a cervical smear test every three years is a woman’s best way of protection. There is also a vaccine available, ask your doctor about it.
• It cases are caused by the Human Papillomavirus.
• It is said that about 90 percent of all cancer of the cervix cases are caused by human papillomavirus or HPV which is a common sexually transmitted infection that almost all people can acquire at some point in their existence.
• Only a persistent infection caused by four kinds of HPV if left untreated turns into cervical cancer.
• There are numerous of HPV types but only a persistent infection triggered by four kinds of HPV is to turn into cancer of the cervix if the infection is left untreated.
• There are several symptoms of this type of cancer.
• Symptoms include bleeding or spotting between and after menstrual periods and after sexual intercourse, persistent pain in the pelvis and pain during intercourse and vaginal discharge that changes color, may be heavy, and with a filthy odor.
• Treatment depends on the stage of the cancer.
• Treatments depend on the stage of the cancer. This may include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.

Ever heard of pap smear tests? What about cervical cancer then? Yes, cervical cancers are categorized as a malignant type of cancer, which is capable of causing death. Its threat is equal to its common cancer counterpart, the breast cancer.

Women can take several simple steps to reduce their risk of developing cervical cancer. Small lifestyle adjustments, combined with medical care, go a long way in preventing cervical cancer.

1. Get screened regularly for the disease

Getting a regular pap smear test is a highly effective way to reduce your risk of cervical cancer. There are no other ways. Do this annually and pray for your safety. You have been warned.

2. Practise safe sex, always

There are no emotions to be used as excuses here. ‘HPV’ (virus responsible for causing the cancer) is a common sexually transmitted virus and is the primary cause of most this cancer. You can reduce the risk of being infected by using a condom during sexual intercourse. If you ever suspect amiss, then please get the morning after pill, to be safe rather than sorry afterwards in future.

3. Limit the number of your sexual partners

Having multiple sexual partners increases your risk of being infected by ‘HPV’.

4. Get immunised against ‘HPV’

Vaccination against the virus will reduce the risk of infections of types 16 and 18 (responsible for 70% of all cervical cancers) by high risk ‘HPV’. This vaccination can offer good protection against high risk strain for ‘pre’ cancerous changes to the cervix. ‘HPV’ vaccination is best suited for girls who are not yet sexually active. But, research has shown than the virus vaccination offers protection up to the age of 45 years of age.

Cervical cancer is a disease that usually affects women with ages 40 and above. The primary cause of this disease in general is caused by HPV or Human papilloma virus which is transmitted and communicated from sexual contact. This disease can last for a long period of time, years maybe and leads to cancerous cervix cells. In order to treat the cancer as early as possible, it should be detected through cervical cancer test.

Early detection of cancer can prevent it from getting severe. This is advisable so that patients suffering from this disease can treat the cancer and prevent it from spreading all throughout the body. Some cervical cancer tests to undergo are:

• Pap smear test. One of the best ways of detecting this cancer is to undergo pap smear cancer screening test. This common test is also known as Pap test. This is usually a cervical cancer test used to identify cervical cancer in its early stage. This is done by collecting cervical cells then it is smeared on a glass side in order to screen precancerous or cancerous cells.

• HPV test. Another method of testing is HPV testing and typing. HPV DNA test detects the existence of the most common high-risk HPV types; however, it does not determine the specific type. HPV test is also recommended by The American College of Obstetrician and Gynecologists that woman ages 30 and above should undergo such test.

• Diagnostic tests such as Colposcopy and Biopsy. Colposcopy is a follow up test placing a vinegar-like solution on the cervix, and use a bright light to examine the closely the cervix. Biopsy is done if there are irregularities found on the cervix. This test is the only test that will tell and prove whether the abnormal cells are precancerous, cancerous or reactive.

Just like any cancer, the earlier this cancer is detected and treated, the bigger chance of getting rid of it for good. Do not be afraid of taking and undergoing cervical cancer tests because these tests might be the only way for survival. If you have observed or felt something unusual with yourself, don’t hesitate to visit your doctor for a check up to see if there is something wrong with you. Live a healthy lifestyle in order to prevent any diseases such as cancer. Nourish your body with healthy foods like fruits and vegetables and live a cancer free life.

Cervical cancer is formed in the cells on the surface of the cervix. The cervix is located in the pelvic area and is the lower part of the uterus which connects the uterus to the birth canal. Cervical cancer is a form of uterine cancer, and is a slow-growing malignant cancer.

Cervical cancer is mainly caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) which is spread through sexual contact. This virus can live in the body for many years before any cancer is formed, and in some cases the cancer never forms. The reason the cancer does not form in some individuals who have the virus, is because they have a healthy lifestyle and a strong immune system.

So by building a strong immune system, one can prevent this cancer from forming. To build a healthy immune system one must consume a healthy diet. Animal proteins should be avoided, including all meat, dairy, and poultry. Processed foods, refined sugars, and most cooked foods should be eliminated from the diet.

Then we need to add in the good stuff like lots of fruits and vegetables, herbs, nuts and seeds. Freshly squeezed fruit juices are also essential in helping to build a strong immune system.

But what if cancer has already formed, is there still a way to be healed naturally? Absolutely. Botanical and Chinese medicines have been very effective in treating and curing cancer.

There are also home remedies which can be taken at home. Some of them include:

Apricot seeds: Apricot seeds contain vitamin B17 which helps to kill cancerous cells. Simply add them to your daily diet in your smoothies. Other seeds that contain vitamin B17 are apple, chia, flax and sesame seeds.

Tea: Natural teas are not only a great substitute for other sugary drinks that contribute to the growth and formation of cancerous cells, but they can help to flush out the toxins to help prevent the cancer from spreading. Ginger is very effective in not only preventing the cancer from spreading, but the gingerols contained in ginger can help to kill the cancerous cells. Thus ginger tea is very beneficial. Other teas to include in your diet are spearmint and dandelion teas.

Other natural remedies include the use of Burr Marigold, Goji berries, Brazil nuts, Luffah, Cat’s Claw, Neem Leaves and Neem Flowers, Muskmelon, Pine pollen, Rosemary, Ginkgo, Saffron, and Artichoke.

If one can be healed using these remedies, then one can also prevent the cancer from occurring in the first place, just by making them a part of a living food diet.

Serious cases of cervical cancer can be successfully treated, although it is best to catch cervical cancer early. The best way to do this is with regular, routine and periodic paps tests. In the invasive stage more drastic measures need to be taken to stop the spread of cancer and even in this case if the cancer has not moved beyond the cervics there is nearly a 90% rate of survival. Forty years ago we couldn’t say that, so things have come along way. By getting paps tests abnormal cells are found early and removed or treated very easily.

There are many ways used to treat later stage cervical cancer. Hysterectomy surgery in the invasive stages is one of the more popular ways to treat cervical cancer and is used often inn younger women, because it preserve the ovaries. Hysterectomy removes the uterus and cervix thus removing the cancer in the process. Hysterectomies in more serious cases include removing part of the vagina, cervix, uterus as well as any lumph nodes in the region.

Radical trachelectomy can be another method used to preserve fertility, this would remove the cervix and lower part of the uterus, but the rest of the uterus is left for bearing the fetus. Lymph nodes are also removed in the pelvis and there is further surveillance to see if cancer has spread. Chemotherapy anti cancer drugs can also be used to enter the patients bloodstream which can increase the effects of radiation to treat cervical cancer. Radiation treatment is also possible to shrink the tumors killing the cancer cells. This prevents the cancer cells from reproducing.

The less serious cases are treated with a simple hysterectomy or radical trachelectomy, which would first choice in invasive stages. Sometimes in later stages a combination of any of these will be used. If you have periodic paps tests you can prevent this level of treatment and even if you have to go through any of these levels of treatment you most likely will end up a cancer survivor like Lance Armstrong. So talk with your doctor, stay informed, do your own research and think on this.

The cervix is part of a woman’s reproductive system. Doctors cannot explain why some women develop cervical cancer while others do not. What we do know is that there are risk factors which make some women more vulnerable, to develop cervical cancer, than others.

These risk factors increase the possibility of developing cervical cancer and they may act together to increase the risk even more.

HPV (Human Papilloma Viruses) is the most significant risk factor for cervical cancer. The HP Viruses affect the cervix directly and can be passed from person to person through sexual contact. In fact, most adults have been infected with HPVs at some time in their lives.

The HPV viruses can cause changes to our body cells which is why various problems including cervical cancer can occur.

I will be brief and present the most worth mentioning Cervical Cancer Symptoms. It is very importand to know that most of the cervical cancer symptoms may not cause any kind of pain.

So don’t wait to feel pain before seeing a doctor or performing the regular tests (e.g. pap test)

Women with Cervical Cancer may notice some of the following symptoms:

- Abnormal Vagina Bleeding

– Bleeding between regular menstrual periods

– Bleeding after sexual contact.

– Bleeding during menstrual periods that last longer

– Bleeding after menopause

- Increased Vaginal discharge

- Pelvic Pain

- Pain During Sexual Intercourse

These symptoms may be caused by other health problems, not just cervical cancer. Only a doctor can tell for sure.

Women should pay a visit to their doctor as soon as they notice such symptoms. The doctor can and will diagnose and treat the symptom accordingly. Again, it’s importand to perform regular tests and visit your doctor every now and then.

Jade Goody’s death from cervical cancer has taught us that we need to be careful about this killer disease. There are lessons to be learnt from the Jade Goody episode so that we keep a careful watch of possible cervical cancer symptoms, signs and possible cure.

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

Most people are sadly uninformed 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 cervical tissues.  The cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus, connects the vagina to the body of the uterus.  The cervix is pink in color. It is covered with squamous cells,  which are scale-like in appearance.  The cervical canal is lined with another kind of cell, known as columnar cells The area where these two types of cells meet called T-zone or transformation zone is the likeliest area which can cause abnormal growth of cells.

How can I find out if I have cervical cancer: In the earliest stages, it is quite difficult to ascertain if you have cervical cancer, because there are no obvious symptoms. Irregular bleeding, bleeding or pain during sex or vaginal discharge, chronic low backache which are symptoms that can be linked with cervical cancer, offers appear at an advanced stage.

Who is at risk of cervical cancer?

• Those who do unprotected sex:  Most sexually active women have the chances of carrying an HPV virus which spreads through skin to skin contact with an HPV infected area. Sex at an early age, unprotected sex and multiple sex partners augments the chances of a woman’s of getting an HPV infection.  In other words, HPV infection can trigger cervical cancer. Usage of condoms for the sake of unprotected sex, may not help because the virus can be passed through skin to skin contact in the genital area, that is not covered by a condom.  But that does not mean, one should not use condom, it is very important to protect yourself against AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases.
• Smoking: Smoking increases the risk of the woman to contract cervical cancer.  Chemical produced by tobacco smoking can damage the DNA of the cervix cells, making them cancerous.
• Chlamdiya infection: Chlamydia infection which is bacterial in nature is also a cayuse, triggered through sexual contact.
• Diet deficient in fruit and vegetables: Women who do not eat enough fruit or vegetables miss out on the antioxidant properties which keep cancers at bay.  Phytochemicals like vitamins A, C, E and beta-carotene are known to prevent cervical cancers.
•     HIV infection: Women who have a weak immune system from illnesses like HIV(Human Immunodeficiency Virus) can also suffer from cervical cancer.
• Long term oral contraceptives: Usage of long-term contraceptives for say 5 or more years can increase the woman’s chances of suffering from cervix 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 fight of HPV infection better than other women.

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

In the Pap test, a speculum or a standard device used to examine the cervix is placed in the vagina.  Cells are skimmed from the surface of cervical surface with a cotton swab and then smeared into a glass slide. Another sample is taken from the T-zone with a plastic spatula. There are new techniques known as  liquid based Pap tests that gives greater degree of accuracy.  The slide is dispatched to a lab where a cytotechnologist (a person who reviews the slides) and a pathologist examines the sample for any abnormalities.  The pap test is usually accurate and can be used to detect cervical cancers even in the early stages. To increase the reliability of the Pap test, go to your doctor two weeks after your last menstrual period and avoid having sex, douching, using tampons or using vaginal creams,powders, suppositories, sprays etc  at least 48 hours before the test.

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

What should be the regularity of the Pap test:

Screening should commence three years after a woman begins to have intercourse. It is recommended to go for a Pap test every two or three years.  The combination of HPV testing with a Pap test should be considered for routine screening for women older than 30.  Go to my blog listed below to know about cervical cancer cure.