Cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women.According to World Health Organization (WHO), every year more than 1 lac women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 74,118 women die from this disease.The majority of these women live in developing countries, including over 100,000 in India alone.
What is cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer, a malignancy of the cervix, is the second most common cancer in the world affecting women.The cervix is the lower part othe uterus (womb). It is sometimes called the uterine cervix. The body of the uterus (the upper part) is where a baby grows. The cervix connects the body of the uterus to the vagina (birth canal). The part of the cervix closest to the body of the uterus is called the endocervix. The part next to the vagina is the exocervix (or ectocervix). The 2 main types of cells covering the cervix are squamous cells (on the ectocervix) and glandular cells (on the endocervix). The place where these 2 cell types meet is called the transformation zone. Most cervical cancers start in the transformation zone.
Cervical Cancer
Most cervical cancers begin in the cells lining the cervix. These cells do not suddenly change into cancer. Instead, the normal cells of the cervix first gradually develop
pre-cancerous changes that turn into cancer.Cervical cancers and cervical pre-cancers are classified by how they look under a microscope. There are 2 main types of cervical cancers: squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma.Most of the remaining cervical cancers are adenocarcinomas. Adenocarcinomas are becoming more common in women born in the last 20 to 30 years.
Cervical Cancer Symptoms :
*Abnormal bleeding.
*Unusual heavy discharge.
*Pelvic pain.
*Pain during urination.
*Bleeding between regular menstrual periods, after sexual intercourse, douching, or pelvic exam.
Please keep in mind that these cervical cancer symptoms are also symptoms of many other illnesses. If you are experiencing these cervical cancer symptoms, please see a doctor. He or she will most likely do a pelvic exam and may order further tests.
Prevention is better than cure. Be alert be in swank health.
