Cervix is the narrow entrance part of the uterus or referred to as the neck of the womb. When uncontrolled growth of cells occurs in the cervix, it spreads to nearby tissues, organs alarming cancer. Cervical cancer is the most prevailing cancer in women after breast cancer and is mainly seen in underdeveloped regions. We will learn about cervical cancer and its causative factors, symptoms, and prevention and treatment plans.
Risk Factors Of Cervical Cancer
Human Papilloma Virus is the prominent cause of cervical cancer transmitted sexually. About 150 types of HPV exist, and 15 types can cause cancer. HPV contains the genetic material which enters into the cervix and disturbs normal cellular function—the results in uncontrolled cell growth, which turns into a cancerous tumor.
2. Birth Control Pills
Various studies indicated that excessive use of contraceptive pills raises the chances of cervical cancer.
Smoking is injurious to health whether active or passive therefore enhances the cancer risk. Researchers suggest that cigarette smoke damages the DNA of the cervix which contributes to cancer growth.
4. Early Pregnancy
When women had conceived at their early age such as 17 have high possibilities of cancer compared to women 25 or older.
Cancer can be passed down among family members. If your mother had cancer, then you might undergo the same in the future.
6. Multiple Pregnancies
Yet not clear but said if women have two or more children has probably the high chances of cancer.
7. Chlamydia Infection
Women who get infected in the past with chlamydia have a high risk of cancer. Other sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea, syphilis also could be the reason.
8. Dangerous Chemicals At Work
Tetrachloroethylene is the most used chemical in dry cleaning. If you expose to this, you may face the risk of cancer.
Warming Signs Of Cervical Cancer
Most of the cancers do not show noticeable symptoms at the early stages. Symptoms appear only after they spread to the nearby body parts—tissues, lymph nodes, etc.
Common symptoms when a tumor develops in the cervix are below:
- Unusual heavy bleeding during menstruation
- Vaginal watery discharge with a foul odor
- Postmenopausal bleeding
- Pelvic pain
- Pain and discomfort during or after intercourse
When cervical cancer spreads to the pelvic part or elsewhere in the body, the following symptoms are observed:
- Weight loss
- Back pain, leg pain, or swelling
- Urine or feces discharge from the vagina
- Bone fractures
The infection also could be the causative factor of the above symptoms. Although it experiences any of the above symptoms, consult the physician right away to avoid the danger of advanced cancer.
Screening Tests For Cervical Cancer
It can be scary if you get to know you have cancer. But how do I know if I have cervical cancer? Following are the screening tests below to detect precancerous cells which may develop into cancer cells.
- Pap test and HPV DNA test: Pap test is painless to detect any abnormalities of the cervix cells, and women between the age of 21 to 60 should go for it. The HPV DNA test is done along with Pap to examine the cervix cells are infected with HPV or not as this is the most prominent cause of cancer.
If these tests reveal any positive results, then the doctor would suggest you for further following screenings:
- Colonoscopy: This is the visual examination of the cervix, vagina, and vulva using a coloscope.
- Punch Biopsy: It is done using a sharp tool to scrap the section of cervical tissue.
- Cone biopsy: The doctor takes the small cone-shaped section of the abnormal tissue from the cervix or any suspicious area for cancer.
If above both these biopsy worrisome, the doctor would recommend the following:
- Electrical wire loop: Local anesthesia is given as using a thin low voltage electrical wire to get the sample.
- Pelvic Ultrasound: High-frequency sound waves create to visualize the image of the affected area.
- MRI and CT Scan
- Blood tests: It is done to identify any kidney or liver problems.
Treatment For Cervical Cancer
If you are diagnosed with cancer, then it is treatable if caught at an early stage. But the treatment depends upon the cancer stage. There are various treatment plans to relieve the symptoms and live longer. But treatment is wholly based upon the cancer stage, type of cervical cancer. The doctor also considers the age criteria and maintains the ability to get pregnant in the future. Following are the treatment options:
- Targeted Therapy
1. Early Stage Treatment (Surgery)
Surgery is the main treatment when cancer has not spread. Sometimes, radiation therapy is also given to prevent its recurrence. Also, chemotherapy is done before the operation to shrink the tumor and to make the surgery easier.
2. Advanced Stage Options
1. Radiation Therapy
When the cancer is extended towards other body parts, then surgery is not the only preference. The treatment involves the use of high beam energy X-rays to destroy the cancerous cells.
You can get the radiation in two ways –
- Brachytherapy: The procedure is done by placing a small device near the cervix part at the early stage.
- External beam radiation therapy (EBRT): EBRT is done along with Brachytherapy for advanced cancer. The radiation is given from a machine outside the body. When radiation is targeted for the pelvic area, below the symptoms are observed until the treatment is over.
A patient may experience the following symptoms:
- The most common nausea and vomiting
- Irregular menstrual cycle
- Early menopause
- Narrowing of vagine
- Bladder irriatation
- Frequent and difficulty while urination
- Skin colour changes
- Swollen legs
The treatment involves using drugs to kill the cancer cells, and you can also get it through IV. Doctors generally give the chemo and radiation altogether for better improvement. But you will find similar side effects just as Radiation therapy.
3. Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapy uses drugs, such as Avastin, to destruct the cancer cells but spares the healthy cells. It works to prevent new blood vessel formation required for tumor growth nourishment. Doctors usually combine targeted therapy with chemo, and the side effects are high BP, blood clotting, appetite loss.
Immunotherapy is targeted for cancer recurrence after chemotherapy. Immunotherapy uses the patient’s own immune system to destroy the cancer cells.
Preventive Tips For Cervical Cancer
- Regular cervical screening: the test doesn’t detect cancer but indicate the changes of the cells
- HPV Vaccine: If the female keep up with the HPV program, then chances of cancer are decreased.
- Less likely to infect with HPV as fewer sexual partners
- Stop smoking
- Keep the healthy weight
- Eat healthy food
- Avoid excessive use of birth control pills
Sehemu ya shingo ya tumbo la uzazi (Cervix) ni sehemu nyembamba ya uterasi inayoitwa shingo ya tumbo. Ukipata ukuaji usio na udhibiti wa chembe katika shingo ya tumbo la uzazi, huenea kwenye tishu na viungo vilivyo karibu, na kuharibu kansa. Saratani ya shingo ya tumbo la uzazi ni kansa inayoenea zaidi kwa wanawake baada ya saratani ya matiti na inaonekana hasa katika mikoa isiyoendelea. Tutajifunza kuhusu kansa ya shingo ya tumbo la uzazi na visababishi vyake, dalili, na mipango ya kuzuia na kutibu. Sababu za Hatari za Kansa ya Shingo ya Mimba Virusi vya Papilloma ya Binadamu ni kisababishi kikuu cha kansa ya shingo ya mkojo inayopitishwa kwa njia ya ngono. Kuna aina 150 za HPV na aina 15 zinaweza kusababisha kansa. HPV ina nyenzo ya maumbile ambayo huingia kwenye shingo ya tumbo na kusumbua kazi ya kawaida ya seli - matokeo katika ukuaji wa seli zisizo na udhibiti, ambazo hubadilika kuwa uvimbe wa kansa. 2. Uwezekano wa kupata Dawa za Kudhibiti Uzazi Uchunguzi mbalimbali ulionyesha kwamba kutumia dawa za kudhibiti mimba kupita kiasi huongeza uwezekano wa kupatwa na kansa ya shingo ya tumbo la uzazi. Uvutaji sigareti ni hatari kwa afya iwe ni ya utendaji au ya kimwili kwa hiyo huongeza hatari ya kansa. Watafiti wanasema moshi wa sigara huathiri DNA ya shingo ya tumbo la uzazi na hivyo kuchochea ukuaji wa saratani. 4. Uwe na uhakika Wanawake ambao wamepata mimba wakiwa na umri wa miaka 17 au zaidi wana uwezekano mkubwa wa kupata saratani ikilinganishwa na wanawake wenye umri wa miaka 25 au zaidi. Kansa yaweza kupitishwa kati ya washiriki wa familia. Kama mama yako alikuwa na kansa, basi unaweza kupata ugonjwa huo baadaye. 6. Uwe na uhakika Ujamaa wa mara mbili: Kwa sababu ya hali hii, ni muhimu kujua kwamba wanawake wanaozaa watoto wawili au zaidi wana uwezekano mkubwa wa kupata saratani. 7. Uwe na mtazamo gani? Ugonjwa wa Chlamydia Wanawake ambao wamepatwa na ugonjwa wa chlamydia zamani wana hatari kubwa ya kansa. Magonjwa mengine yanayopitishwa kwa njia ya ngono kama vile ugonjwa wa kuambukiza, ugonjwa wa kuambukiza pia yanaweza kuwa sababu. 8. Uwe na mtazamo gani? Kemikali za Hatari Zilizotumiwa kazini Tetrachloroethylene ndiyo kemikali inayotumiwa zaidi katika kusafisha kwa maji. Ukijitokeza kwenye hali hiyo, unaweza kupatwa na kansa. Dalili za Ugonjwa wa Saratani ya Shingo ya Mimba Wengi wa saratani hazionyeshi dalili zinazoonekana katika hatua za mapema. Dalili huonekana tu baada ya kuenea kwa sehemu za karibu za mwili - tishu, kibofu cha lymph, nk. Ugonjwa wa tumbo la tumbo la uzazi huanza wakati wa hedhi, na dalili za kawaida ni: - Kutokwa na damu nyingi wakati wa hedhi - Kutokwa na maji ya tumbo la uzazi na harufu mbaya - Kutokwa na damu baada ya menopause - Maumivu ya pelvic - Maumivu na usumbufu wakati wa ngono au baada ya ngono - Wakati kansa ya utumbo wa uzazi inaenea kwa sehemu ya pelvic au mahali pengine mwilini, dalili zifuatazo huonekana: - Kupoteza uzito - Maumivu ya mgongo, mguu, au uvimbe - Urinia au uchafu kutoka kwa utando - Ugonjwa wa mifupa. Ikiwa una dalili yoyote ya juu, wasiliana na daktari mara moja ili kuepuka hatari ya saratani ya hali ya juu. Uchunguzi wa saratani ya shingo ya tumbo la uzazi inaweza kuwa ya kutisha ikiwa unajua una saratani. Ninajuaje kama nina kansa ya shingo ya tumbo la uzazi? Chini ni vipimo vya uchunguzi chini ili kugundua seli za kabla ya kansa ambazo zinaweza kuendeleza katika seli za kansa. Utafiti wa Pap na HPV DNA: Utafiti wa Pap ni rahisi na unaweza kugundua kasoro yoyote ya chembe za shingo ya tumbo la uzazi, na wanawake kati ya umri wa miaka 21 na 60 wanapaswa kufanya hivyo. Utafiti wa DNA ya HPV unafanywa pamoja na Pap na uthibitisho wa kwamba chembe za shingo ya tumbo la uzazi zimeambukizwa HPV au la, kwani hii ni sababu kuu ya saratani. Kwa mfano, ikiwa uchunguzi wa utumbo unaonyesha matokeo mazuri, daktari anaweza kukupendekeza ufanye uchunguzi wa utumbo wa tumbo la uzazi, utando wa uzazi, na utando wa utumbo kwa kutumia darubini. - Punch Biopsy: Inafanywa kwa kutumia kifaa mkali kuondoa sehemu ya tishu ya shingo ya tumbo la uzazi. - Biopsy ya koni: Daktari huchukua sehemu ndogo ya koni ya tishu isiyo ya kawaida kutoka kwa shingo ya tumbo la uzazi au eneo lolote linaloaminika kwa kansa. Ikiwa juu ya vichungi vyote viwili vya biopsy, daktari anapendekeza yafuatayo: - Mzunguko wa waya wa umeme: Anesthesia ya mahali hutolewa kama kutumia waya mwembamba wa umeme wa voltage ya chini kupata sampuli. - Ultrasound ya pelvic: Mawimbi ya sauti ya masafa ya juu hutokeza picha ya eneo lililoathiriwa. Uchunguzi wa damu (MRI na CT Scan) - Uchunguzi wa damu unafanywa ili kutambua matatizo yoyote ya figo au ini. Matibabu ya saratani ya shingo ya tumbo la uzazi: Ikiwa ugonjwa wa saratani umegunduliwa, unaweza kuugua ikiwa unagunduliwa mapema. Lakini matibabu hutegemea hatua ya kansa. Kuna mipango mbalimbali ya matibabu ya kupunguza dalili na kuishi muda mrefu zaidi. Matibabu ya saratani ya shingo ya tumbo hutegemea hatua ya saratani na aina ya saratani. Daktari pia hufikiria vigezo vya umri na kudumisha uwezo wa kupata mimba katika siku zijazo. Chaguzi za matibabu ni zifuatazo: - Tiba ya Lengo 1. Matibabu ya Hatua ya Mapema (Upasuaji) Upasuaji ndio matibabu makuu wakati kansa haijatawanyika. Nyakati nyingine, tiba ya mnururisho hutolewa pia ili kuzuia kurudia kwa ugonjwa huo. Pia, tiba ya kemikali hufanywa kabla ya upasuaji ili kupunguza ukubwa wa uvimbe na kufanya upasuaji uwe rahisi zaidi. 2. Uwezekano wa kupata Advanced Stage Chaguzi 1. Radiation therapy: Kama kansa imesambaa kwenye sehemu nyingine za mwili, upasuaji sio chaguo pekee. Matibabu hayo yanahusisha kutumia miale ya X yenye nguvu nyingi ili kuharibu chembe za kansa. Unaweza kupata mionzi kwa njia mbili <unk> - Brachytherapy: Utaratibu huo hufanywa kwa kuweka kifaa kidogo karibu na sehemu ya shingo ya tumbo la uzazi katika hatua ya mapema. - Tiba ya mnururisho wa nje (EBRT): EBRT hufanywa pamoja na Brachytherapy kwa kansa ya hali ya juu. Mionzi hiyo hutolewa kutoka kwa mashine iliyo nje ya mwili. Wakati mionzi ni lengo kwa eneo la pelvic, chini ya dalili ni kuchunguzwa mpaka matibabu ni juu. Mgonjwa anaweza kupata dalili zifuatazo: - Kutoweza kula na kutapika - Mzunguko wa hedhi usio wa kawaida - Kuanza mapema kwa kipindi cha hedhi - Kufinya kwa mkojo - Mara nyingi na ugumu wakati wa kukojoa - Mabadiliko ya rangi ya ngozi - Miguu iliyotiwa uvimbe - Matibabu yanahusisha kutumia dawa za kuua seli za kansa, na unaweza pia kupata kupitia IV. Kwa kawaida madaktari hutoa chemo na radiation kwa pamoja ili kupata uboreshaji bora. Lakini utapata athari za upande sawa na tiba ya mionzi. 3. Uwe na mtazamo wa kweli Tiba ya kulenga hutumia dawa, kama vile Avastin, kuharibu chembe za kansa lakini huokoa chembe zenye afya. Inafanya kazi ya kuzuia kuundwa kwa mishipa mipya ya damu inayohitajika kwa ajili ya ukuaji wa uvimbe. Kwa kawaida, matibabu ya kimetaboliki huambatana na chemo, na athari zake ni shinikizo la damu, kuganda kwa damu, na kupoteza hamu ya kula. Tiba ya kinga inakusudiwa kuzuia kansa isirudi baada ya matibabu ya kemikali. Tiba ya kinga hutumia mfumo wa kinga wa mgonjwa mwenyewe kuharibu chembe za kansa. Ushauri wa kuzuia kwa ajili ya saratani ya shingo ya tumbo la uzazi - Utafiti wa kawaida wa shingo ya tumbo la uzazi: mtihani hauwezi kugundua saratani lakini huonyesha mabadiliko ya seli - Chanjo ya HPV: Ikiwa mwanamke anaendelea na programu ya HPV, basi uwezekano wa kansa hupungua. - Uwezekano mdogo wa kuambukizwa HPV kama washirika wa ngono wachache - Kuacha kuvuta sigara - Kudumisha uzito wa afya - Kula chakula cha afya - Kuepuka matumizi ya kupita kiasi ya dawa za kuzuia uzazi