Cervical Cancer: An Overview

Cervical cancer is characterized by abnormal cell growth in the cervix, the part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. The development of the pap smear greatly reduced the number of fatalities from cervical cancer. Cervical cancer, however, is still fairly common. In some developing countries, cervical cancer is the most common form of cancer among women in their population (Britannica, 2019). Different strains of human papilloma virus (HPV) play a major role in causing cervical cancer. The immune system of the body normally prevents the virus from doing harm when exposed to HPV. Sometimes the virus persists for years, leading some cervical cells to become cancerous.

SYMPTOMS/SCREENING

Initial diagnosis often begins with a positive pap test. After this, a more thorough examination is completed to confirm the presence of cervical cancer. If the cancer is at an advanced stage and metastasis is suspected, “other cancers of the uterus and surrounding tissues can be detected by observing the reproductive, digestive, and urinary tracts with other specialized viewing scopes” (Britannica, 2019).

Cytology-based cervical cancer screening is an novel method started in the Scandinavian countries in the early 1960s, but has not been tested in randomized trials to determine the effect of screening on the incidence or mortality of cervical cancer (Denny et al. 2015).

Initial diagnosis often begins with a positive pap test. After this, a more thorough examination is completed to confirm the presence of cervical cancer. If the cancer is at an advanced stage and metastasis is suspected, “other cancers of the uterus and surrounding tissues can be detected by observing the reproductive, digestive, and urinary tracts with other specialized viewing scopes” (Britannica, 2019).

Cytology-based cervical cancer screening is an novel method started in the Scandinavian countries in the early 1960s, but has not been tested in randomized trials to determine the effect of screening on the incidence or mortality of cervical cancer (Denny et al. 2015).

Distribution/Frequency of Transmission

Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women worldwide. This cancer is frequently common in women between the ages of 35 through 44. The American Cancer Society has stated that in the United States, close to 13,000 women per year are diagnosed with cervical cancer, and more than 4,000 women die from it (American Cancer Society). Also women who live in low- and middle-income countries have an even higher number of diagnosis and death due to this disease. Although mortality may be higher in low- and middle-income countries, it is preventable through early diagnosis and treatment. Although cervical cancer is “one of the most successful treatable forms of cancer” millions of women die due to a lack of access to early screening (WHO, 2019). It is estimated that up to 74.1 million cervical cancer cases and 62 million deaths could have been prevented from 2020 to 2120 (Canfell, 2020)

PREVENTION AND TREATMENT

Cervical cancer can be prevented through screening tests, such as pap smears and HPV tests to detect early signs of cervical cancer. These early signs are often called pre-cancers, and they can be treated before they turn into cervical cancer. Cervical cancer can develop from a contraction of HPV, or human papillomavirus, so it is important to get an HPV vaccine to protect from multiple strains of the virus.

Treatment methods vary, but the main ones involve surgery. Cancerous cervical tissue be frozen or burned off, called cryosurgery and laser ablation respectively (American Cancer Society). An excision of cervical tissue, officially called conization, can remove the locations where cervical cancer is most likely to originate. A hysterectomy, which removes the uterus and its surrounding tissues, is done in more extreme cases.

Cervical cancer is a highly treatable and preventable illness, but most deaths from it occur in countries that are low to middle income (Women’s Health Research Institute). We must address barriers to adequate screenings and vaccinations if we want to envision a more equitable world; organizations like MSF are working to provide women around the world with the proper care to avoid and treat cervical cancer, and ultimately create a better future.

Sources:

Adegoke, O., Kulasingam, S., & Virnig, B. (2012). Cervical cancer trends in the United states: A 35-year population-based analysis. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3521146/.

American cancer society, M. (2021, January 12). Cervical cancer statistics: Key facts about cervical cancer. Retrieved February 26, 2021, from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cervical-cancer/about/key-statistics.html

Britannica. (2019). Cervical cancer. https://www.britannica.com/science/cervical-cancer.

Canfell, K. (2020). Mortality impact of achieving WHO cervical cancer elimination targets: A comparative modelling analysis in 78 low-income and Lower-middle-income countries. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32007142/.

Denny, L., Quinn, M., & Sankaranarayanan, R. (2006). Chapter 8: Screening for cervical cancer in developing countries. Vaccine, 24. doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2006.05.121.

WebMD. (2020). Cervical cancer: Causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, & outlook. https://www.webmd.com/cancer/cervical-cancer/cervical-cancer#1.

WHO. (2019). Cervical cancer. https://www.who.int/westernpacific/health-topics/cervical-cancer.

Women's Health Research Institute (2015, February 11). Cervical cancer screening guidelines. Retrieved February 26, 2021, from https://womenshealth.obgyn.msu.edu/blog/cervical-cancer-screening-guidelines.