Every year, thousands of women are affected with cervical cancer. Ranked as the fourth most common cancer among women, cervical cancer has taken approximately 350000 lives globally in 2022 alone, and an estimated 660000 new cases were reported that same year.

These aren’t just numbers. They represent real stories, real struggles, and real hopes. Amidst these challenges, there is hope — because cervical cancer, while serious, is also one of the most preventable and treatable cancers when caught early.

Through this blog, Jhappie Healthcare aims to provide clarity and a comprehensive guide on cervical cancer for those affected by it, as well as their caregivers; because knowledge and awareness empower one to make better decisions and achieve positive outcomes.

What is Cervical Cancer: The Basics

The lower part of the uterus that connects it to the vagina is known as the cervix, and cervical cancer develops when the cells of the cervix grow uncontrollably. It often remains unseen and undetected in early stages, which is why awareness and regular screening are crucial. The cervix plays an important role in the female reproductive system, and when cancer develops, it has profound effects on the health and well-being of a woman.

Types Of Cervical Cancer

Cervical Cancer is categorized mainly into two types:

Squamous Cell Carcinoma: This is the most common type; it originates in the squamous cells that line the cervix.

Adenocarcinoma: This cancer arises in the glandular cells, and presents in only about a third of the cases, when compared to Squamous cell Carcinoma.

Understanding the Stages Of Cervical Cancer

Knowing the stage of cervical cancer helps you and your doctor understand how far the cancer has spread and decide the best treatment.

FIGO (The International Federation of Gynaecology & Obstetrics) classifies cervical cancer ranging from Stage 0 to Stage IV:

Stage 0: Abnormal cells are found only on the surface of the cervix. This earliest stage is highly treatable.

Stage I: Cancer is limited to the cervix; it is either very small and only visible under a microscope or larger but still confined.

Stage II: Cancer has spread beyond the cervix to nearby tissues such as the upper part of the vagina, but not the pelvic wall.

Stage III: This stage involves more extensive spread of the cancer to the lower vagina or pelvic wall, and can affect kidney function.

Stage IV: Cancer has spread to organs near the cervix like the bladder or rectum, or to distant parts of the body like the lungs or liver.

Doctors also consider whether cancer has spread to lymph nodes because it affects treatment decisions and prognosis. These details are discussed between you and your care team.

If you notice symptoms or have concerns, early consultation with a gynecologist is vital. Early detection improves treatment success. The SHE-Suite at Jhappie Healthcare provides you just that. Sign up today and get empowered with guidance, a personalised care plan, and most importantly, a thriving support system.

Causes Of Cervical Cancer

The most common cause of cervical cancer is persistent infection with Human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted viral infection. Mostly, the viral infection resolves on its own, but sometimes it causes changes in the cells of the cervix that may lead to abnormal growth(cancer).

Other important factors that can lead to cancer are:

• Smoking: Use of tobacco is linked with a higher risk of cervical cancer. 
• Compromised Immune System: Immunocompromised individuals who have HIV can be at higher risk, as their bodies aren’t able to fight HPV.
• Multiple Pregnancies: Women with more than 3 full-term pregnancies are at higher risk.
• Use of contraceptive pills for more than 5 years also increases the risk.
• Early and multiple sexual partners also increase the risk of getting infected.
• Genetics: A family history of cervical cancer also elevates the risk, although not as much as the other factors above. 

Understanding the root cause is essential for the prevention and early detection of cervical cancer.

Recognising Signs & Symptoms of Cervical Cancer

Early stages of cervical cancer may often go unnoticed, as it doesn’t present any discomfort or specific symptoms. However, as the disease progresses, it may show some common symptoms like:

• Pelvic pain and pain during intercourse.
• Abnormal vaginal bleeding, between periods or after intercourse.
• Unusual vaginal discharge, often foul-smelling.
• Abnormally heavy periods.
• Swelling in the legs.
• Back pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, and loss of weight are other common symptoms related to cervical cancer.

If you experience any of the above-mentioned symptoms, contact Jhappie Healthcare for end-to-end support with proper diagnosis and management. Early interventions facilitate appropriate treatment plans, improve your prognosis, and avoid complications associated with a later stage cancer detection.

Diagnosis of Cervical Cancer

Early detection is key to better treatment outcomes of cervical cancer.

Here are some of the tests used for diagnosing cervical cancer:

• Pap Smear: To check for any pre-cancerous changes, a sample of cells is removed from the cervical lining to be examined under a microscope. The Pap smear test should be taken starting at 21 years of age, and then every three years until 29 years of age. From 30-65, women can opt for combined Pap and HPV testing every 5 years.
• HPV Test: Done to detect the high-risk strains of HPV. This test can be performed on the same sample as the Pap smear test.
• Colposcopy: A special microscopic examination of the cervix, performed for a closer look if the findings of the Pap test are unusual. This may involve taking a biopsy for further analysis.
• Biopsy: A small portion of the cervical tissue is removed to examine for the presence of cancerous cells under a microscope.
• Imaging: if the diagnosis of cancerous cells is confirmed, CT scans and MRIs can be used to check the spread of cancer to nearby or distant organs.
• Complete Blood Count (CBC) and Blood Chemistry examinations are also performed to confirm some important deficiencies, like anemia, or to confirm levels of certain chemicals associated with the normal functioning of other organs.

Diagnosis plays an important role in confirming the stages and type of cancer and helps the doctors choose suitable treatment options.

Treatment Modalities For Cervical Cancer

Choosing the right treatment modality depends on various factors like stage of the cancer, patient’s age and overall health, plan for future pregnancies, and their personal preferences.

Here are some common treatment options available:

1. 1. Surgery: Removal of cervix(conization), uterus(hysterectomy), or surrounding tissues in early stages of cervical cancer. If involved, lymph nodes are also removed in advanced cases. 
   2. Radiation Therapy: Alone or in combination with surgery or chemotherapy, high-energy radiations are used to kill cancer cells.
   3. Chemotherapy: Use of drugs to kill cancer cells or arrest their growth. Often used in conjunction with radiotherapy.
   4. Targeted Therapy: A relatively newer approach in selected settings where drugs are used that targets specific pathways involved in cancerous growth
   5. Immunotherapy: A treatment still under investigation, used to empower the body’s immune system to fight against cancer cells. Currently being explored for use in treating advanced stages of cervical cancer.

• Palliative Care: To provide symptomatic relief to the patients and improve their quality of life. 

How To Prevent Cervical Cancer

Prevention of cervical cancer primarily revolves around the following:

• HPV vaccine: Best given before exposure, from preteen years, but can also be beneficial later in life. It protects women against almost all of the high-risk HPV strains.
• Regular screening: Pap smear test, HPV tests to detect any pre-cancerous changes at the earliest. As and when recommended by the physician. 
• Lifestyle choices: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk of cervical cancer to a great extent. This includes eating a balanced diet, avoiding smoking, exercising regularly, and practicing safe sex.
• Limiting the number of sexual partners: This reduces the risk of getting infected.
• Routine health checkups also facilitate early detection and prevention.
  

Living With Cervical Cancer

A diagnosis of cervical cancer not just affects the body, but also takes a toll on one’s mental and emotional health.

Living with cervical cancer can be a challenging experience, filled with fear and uncertainty.

Women start worrying about fertility, intimacy, finances, and how life would be after treatment. Treatments like surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy bring numerous side effects; thus, support from healthcare professionals, support groups, and fostering strong bonds with family and loved ones play a key role.

Women are also encouraged to embrace self-care practices such as mindfulness, meditation, dietary changes, and physical activity. This empowers them to regain control over their healthcare journeys.

Current Research and Future Directions

• Improved screening methods like self-sampling, VIA ( visual inspection with acetic acid), and affordable options for low-resource settings are available.
• Enhanced vaccines like indigenous vaccinations (cervavac) further increase affordability and coverage.
• Use of AI tools in diagnosis is predicted to further improve early detection and improve prognosis.
• Targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and personalized treatment Options for hard-to-treat, recurrent, or metastatic cases are the future of effective cervical cancer treatment

Your Questions on Cervical Cancer: Answered

Q.1. When should I start screening for cervical cancer?

A. Start with a Pap smear at the age of 21 (and every 3 years until 29), and  between ages 30 and 65, combine it with an HPV test every 5 years.

Q.2. Is cervical cancer curable?

A. Many cases, if detected early, are curable. The prognosis gets poorer if the cancer is detected at a later stage.

Q.3. How effective is the HPV Vaccine against cervical cancer?

A. The vaccine is highly effective in preventing high-risk HPV infections, genital warts, precancerous lesions, and cervical cancer, provided the vaccine coverage is good in the population.

Q.4. What should I do if I have abnormal Pap smear findings?

A. Consult with your physician for further evaluation and follow-up tests. Contact Jhappie Healthcare for support and end-to-end care navigation.

Concluding Notes: Holistic Approach to Cervical Cancer

While cervical cancer remains a significant health concern, it is largely preventable through regular screening, vaccination, and lifestyle changes. Education and awareness about the disease play a crucial role in early detection and suitable, effective treatment.

At Jhappie Healthcare, our expert team members help you navigate this journey by offering accurate information, guidance and support with scheduling tests and appointments with relevant healthcare professionals, and also with finding support groups for your mental well-being.

So don’t wait until it’s too late. Sign up for Jhappie’s SHE-SUITE and take charge of your health today.