Clinics and Hospitals in Singapore
Cervical Cancer: How to combat it?
by Business Listings EditorCervical Cancer Vaccine. Photo credit: Canstockphoto
Cervical cancer has been one of the number one killers for women across the globe. It is also the third most common cancer in women.
There are two main cells on the surface of the cervix i.e. columnar cells and squamous cells. The cancer targets the squamous cells mostly and then develops slowly from there.
It begins with a pre-cancerous condition called dysplasia, and it can take years to develop into cervical cancer. It is caused by a sexually transmitted virus called human papilloma virus i.e. HPV.
Main symptoms
Early stages of cervical cancer have no symptoms. As it progresses, there is abnormal vaginal bleeding, pale brown or pinkish smelly discharge and periods that are longer and more painful than normal.
Other symptoms include back pain, fatigue, leg pain, appetite- loss, pelvic pain, swelling in one leg, weight loss, bone pain and stool leaking from the vagina.
When should you check for cervical cancer?
Cervical Cancer. Photo from Canstockphoto.
Most women who are at childbearing age should have regular checkups for cervical cancer. It is usually checked using a process called a pap smear.
The practitioner scrapes cells from the cervix with a swab and they are observed for abnormalities under a microscope. Some habits such as sex at an early age, multiple sex partners, high-risk sexual activities and poverty can increase the chances of cervical cancer.
People who indulge in such activities should get regular pap smears. Women above the age of 40 should get a pap smear at least once a year.
Cervical cancer can be prevented
The good thing is that there is a vaccine for cervical cancer. Women are advised to get the HPV vaccine as soon as they reach the child bearing age.
Practicing safe sex can also play a big part in the prevention of cervical cancer. It is best to limit the number of sexual partners as well as avoiding the ones who practice risky sexual activities.
Do not involve yourself in smoking and other drug abuses that may heighten chances of cancer. Get regular Pap smears so that it can be detected at an early stage where it can be removed successfully.
Treatment options
Cervical cancer treatment is a delicate process which depends on the stage of the cancer, the age of the woman, the size and shape of the tumour as well as her desire to have children after the procedure.
When detected at an early age, it can be cured by removing or destroying the pre-cancerous tissue with minimal invasion to the cervix.
Some procedures use electricity to remove abnormal tissue using a procedure called Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP). Other treatment procedures include Cryotherapy, which uses freezing to remove abnormal cells. There is also a laser therapy that uses light to burn out the abnormal tissue.
Other procedures such as Hysterectomy are more invasive since they are surgical, and they remove the uterus.
There is also the Pelvic exenteration which involves the removal of all pelvic organs, including the bladder and rectum. Such extremes are taken to prevent the spread of cancerous cells to the rest of the body.
Other options include radiation for treating cancer that has spread beyond the cervix or if it has returned after treatment. There is also chemotherapy that uses drugs to cure the cancerous cells. Most of the time, radiation and chemotherapy can be done before surgery.
PAP smear is an important checkup that all women must do regularly to detect any early signs of cervical cancer. See our listings of clinics and hospitals or obstetrician and gynaecologists and schedule your checkup soon.