I am going to begin this blog with a general overview of cervical cancer including how & why it occurs, types of cervical cancer and preventions/treatments. In weeks to come we will delve further into each subject to gain a deeper understanding of the disease process. Lets start with the basics!
First off, let me explain what exactly cancer is...
Simply put, cancer is the abnormal growth of cells that has the potential to spread to other parts of the body. Our entire body is made up of cells. The difference between our bodies functioning and necessary cells versus cancer cells is the act of programed cellular destruction. Apoptosis is programmed cell death. Sounds scary...but it's actually a good thing! The body creates millions more cells than it actually needs. Therefore, the ones that aren't necessary for optimal functioning undergo apoptosis so that the remaining ones function well. Cancer cells grow and multiply out of control and they don't die. This build-up of abnormal cells may turn into tumors which have the potential to spread to other parts of the body, which is called metastasis.
Now lets talk about Cervical Cancer...
Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the cells of the cervix. Cervical cancer results almost exclusively from human papilloma virus (HPV)- a sexually transmitted infection. This does NOT mean that all cases of HPV result in cervical cancer (in fact HPV is so common that nearly all sexually active men and women get it at some point in their lives.) Much more women with HPV DO NOT develop cervical cancer than those who do. However, in a small group of women, the virus survives for years. This in turn contributes to the process that causes some cells on the surface of the cervix to become cancer cells.
Common types of Cervical Cancer...
Squamous cell carcinoma: This type of cervical cancer begins from the flat squamous cells lining the cervix. This is the most common type of cancer.Adenocarcinoma: This types of cervical cancer begins column shaped glandular cells that lines that cervical canal.
Risk factors for Cervical Cancer...
- Many sexual partners
- Having other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- A weakened immune system
- Smoking
Treatment & Prevention...
You can reduce your risk of developing cervical cancer by having screening tests and receiving a vaccine that protects against HPV. Forms of treatment include- Surgery (hysterectomy)
- Radiation
- Chemotherapy
Next week we will talk about the epidemiology of cervical cancer!
Works cited:Cervical cancer. (n.d.). Retrieved March 30, 2015, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cervical-cancer/basics/definition/con-20030522
Genital HPV Infection - Fact Sheet. (2015, February 23). Retrieved March 30, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/STD/HPV/STDFact-HPV.htm
