Cervical Cancer

ALEXANDRA CYNTHIA GUNAWAN & EMILIA GUNAWAN 11 SCIENCE 2

Cervical Cancer
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What is Cervical Cancer?

Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus that opens at the top of the vagina. It is the third most common type of cancer that occurs in women. In the US, cervix cancer becomes less common since the routine usage of Pap smears. Cervical cancers begin in the cells on the cervixs surface. There are two different types of cells on the surface of the cervix, squamous and columnar, but most cervical cancers are from the squamous cells. Cervical cancer develops slowly and gradually, beginning as a precancerous condition that is also known as dysplasia. This condition is absolutely treatable and can be detected by Pap smear. The cause of most cervical cancers is usually HPV (abbreviation for human papilloma virus). Its a common virus type that spreads through sexual contact or intercourse. There are many different strains of HPV, and some strains could lead to cervical cancer.

Special points of interest:

SYMPTOMPS OF CERVICAL CANCER FACTS ABOUT PEOPLE GETTING CERVICAL CANCER RISKS FACTORS OF CERVICAL CANCER

EARLY DETECTION: PAP

SMEAR

CCERVICAL CANCER ARE & TREATMENTS TIPS FOR FIGHTING CANCER

Healthy Cervix VS Cervix Cancer

Symptoms of Cervical Cancer

Symptoms of cervical cancer include sudden bleeding from vagina, change in menstrual cycle, pain during sex, an unpleasant smell of vaginal discharge, pain when passing urine, periods become heavier and last longer than usual. Advanced symptoms of cervical cancer may also include fatigue, back pain, single swollen leg, constipation, tiredness and weight loss. Cervical cancer may also spread to the intestines, bladder, liver and lungs. Most of the time, early cervical cancer has no symptoms.

One of Cervical Cancer Symptoms: Back Pain.

Cervical Cancer
Facts About People Getting Cervical Cancer
Claire King, a 32-year-old woman, is a cervical cancer survivor. Her cancer was detected when she was just 28. One day, she bleed when its not her period. She went to the doctor and she was diagnosed with fibroids, which is a non-cancerous tumour that grows in or around the womb. She had those fibroids removed, and a biopsy was taken, which revealed that Claire had cervical cancer. In August 2009, she started six months of chemotherapy. She discovered she her hair started coming out, so she decided to have her head shaved. After the chemo, she was told that she had to have her womb, cervix and the lymph nodes around her cervix removed, everything else, leaving her only with her left ovaries, followed with a radiotherapy. She realized she would never have kids, which is something she wanted to do in the future. The surgery and anything else was over, but it left Claire feeling unfair and confident. She felt very low. I was pleased that I was still here although I didnt think I had much of a future at that point to look forward to. There was nothing else that was really good in my life said Claire.

Claire King was diagnosed with cervical cancer at the age of 28.

WE ARE FREE TO CHOOSE OUR PATHS, BUT WE CAN'T CHOOSE THE CONSEQUENCES THAT COME WITH THEM. - SEAN COVEY

Causes of Cervical Cancer

The main cause of cervical cancer is the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). HPV is a common virus which is spread through sexual intercourse. Cervical cancer is caused by different type of HPV. There are two types of cells on the surface of cervix which are squamous and columnar. Most cervical cancers are usually from squamous cells. Cervical cancer develops slowly and usually there are no specific symptoms in early cervical cancer. Having sex at an early age and having many sexual partners are will develop the risks of getting infected by HPV. There are two types of common HPV, HPV 16 and HPV 18. About 50-55% cases are from HPV 16 and about 15-20% cases are from HPV 18.

Risks Factors For Cervical Cancer

There are some risk factors that contribute to cervical cancer, women who smoke tends to be easier to get cervical cancer, as well as women who use oral contraceptives like birth control pills. Women who had
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Taking HPV Vaccine for Preventing Cervical Cancer.

first sexual intercourse at young age are also easier to get cervical cancer. Other risk factors include, giving birth to many kids, having many sexual partners and having a partner who is active in high-risk sexual practices. Not taking the HPV

vaccine and having weak immune system also increases the chance of getting cervical cancer.

Cervical Cancer
Early Detection: Pap Smear
Cervical cancer is the third most common type of cancers (in women) in the world. There are less numbers of people in the United States who are diagnosed with cervical cancer because of the routine use of Pap smears. Pap smear is a method to detect early changes in the cervix which might become cancer. A pap smear only takes a few minutes to be done. Pap smear uses a simple procedure. Cells are collected from the cervix and placed into a slide. The slide then sent to laboratory and checked whether there is an abnormal result or not. Pap smear is an important procedure/method to detect abnormal cells in a womans cervix. Therefore, Pap smear needs to be done regularly for those who are sexually active or having multiple sexual partners.
Procedure of Pap Smear.

Tips for Fighting Cancer

For cancer patients, here are some tips that you might want to look at. Join a community, or create one by yourself and your friends, to raise money and raise awareness. Find sponsors, and do great activity, itll turn out as a good social event. Participate and volunteer yourself to help others in the same condition, learn from others and share your skills to get involved. Create a donation. Join some competition dedicated for cancer fighters, or any other competition that youre capable of, and donate 10% of the award or prize for cancer foundations. Sign up petitions so that government can provide regular check-ups and vaccinations for women. Keep yourself active in some areas so that youll be happier and helping others too.

PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE. - DESIDERIUS ERASMUS

Cervical Cancer Diet

There are some foods that can help to reduce or increase the risks of getting cervical cancer. Foods that should be eaten to reduce the risks of getting cervical cancer are foods which are high in anti-oxidants, flavonoids, folate (a water soluble Vitamin B) such as avocadoes, vegetables and fruits. Flavonoids are chemical compounds that are found to be a good source protection against cancer. Folate and Cartenoids are also a good source to decrease the risks of developing cancer. On the other hands, foods that need to be avoided are fries food, processed meats, sodas, refined sugar and smoked foods. These foods help in the progression of different types of cancers, which can further increase the risks of getting cervical cancer. Page 3

Foods For Preventing Cervical Cancer

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Cervical Cancer Care & Treatment

Usually there are three treatments used, they are surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Surgery is sometimes used to treat cervical cancer. Conization, which is a procedure to remove a coneshaped tissue from the cervix and cervical canal. It is used to diagnose or treat cervical cancer, its also called cone biopsy. Another one is total hysterectomy, which is a surgery to remove the uterus, including the cervix. If its taken out through the vagina, then its called vaginal hysterectomy, but if its taken out through incision, then its call abdominal hysterectomy. But if its taken out through a small cut in the abdomen using a laparoscope, then the operation will be called total laparoscopic hysterectomy. There are some different types of hysterectomy, which could be seen in the picture on the left. Cryosurgery is a treatment that freezes and destroys abnormal tissues. Its a treatment for cervical cancer. Another one is LEEP, which stands for Loop electrosurgical excision procedure. It uses electrical current to remove abnormal tissue or cancer. Radiation therapy is uses high-energy x-rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells or to keep them from growing. Theres external therapy, which uses machine outside the body to send radiation to the cancer, and internal radiation, which uses a radioactive substance sealed in needles that is placed directly into or near the cancer. Chemotherapy, is a cancer treatment that uses drugs to stop cancer cells from growing, either by killing them or stopping them from dividing themselves.

Types of Hysterectomy.

Bibliography:
1. VANN, Madeline, 2013. Cervical Cancer Prevention and Your Diet (updated: unknown) Available at: http://www.everydayhealth.com/cervical-cancer/prevention-diet.aspx (22 May 2013) 2. ANONYMOUS, 2011. Symptoms of Cervical Cancer (updated: 4 October 2011) Available at: http:// www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Cancer-of-the-cervix/Pages/Symptoms.aspx (22 May 2013) 3. ANONYMOUS, 2012. Cervical Cancer (updated: 17 November 2012) Available at: http:// www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001895/ (20 May 2013) 4. ANONYMOUS, 2012. Risks Factors (updated: 17 March 2012) Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/ health/cervical-cancer/DS00167/DSECTION=risk-factors (23 May 2013) 5. CONRAD, Melissa, unknown year. Cervical Cancer (updated: unknown) Available at: http:// www.emedicinehealth.com/cervical_cancer/article_em.htm 20 May 2013