Cervical cancer is one of the oncological diagnoses in the field of gynecology that could be easily avoided if, at the population level, prevention methods were better known. Although medicine has reached a point where serious conditions, including cervical cancer, can be stopped in their evolution at an early stage or prevented through careful screening, in Romania, at the level of 2022, there is still the highest rate of incidence and mortality from cervical cancer in the European Union, according to ECIS data.

What is cervical cancer?

Cervical or cervical cancer is a form of cancer that affects a woman's cervix, more precisely, the lower part of the uterus. Like any other form of cancer, uterine cancer develops from precancerous lesions (which can be detected and stopped in the course of a regular gynecological consultation), caused in turn by an abnormal increase in the number of cells in the cervix.

Although not all women who develop precancerous lesions reach a diagnosis of cervical cancer, it is indicated that, following the gynecological check-up that confirms the lesions, the treatment and observation course recommended by the gynecologist should be respected. Prevention by treating lesions and regular screening is the best way to ensure that you will not develop cervical cancer.

The precancerous lesions that can be detected are of several types and forms, among which the most common are: cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, squamous intraepithelial lesion or cervical dysplasia (also known as "neck sore”).

What are the causes of cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer is directly associated with infection with the HPV virus (Human Papilloma Virus) contracted through unprotected sex. In this case, the sexual partner is a carrier of the virus. In the case of men, the HPV virus does not cause symptoms, which is why, if they also do not have regular medical consultations and have a history of unprotected sex, they are most likely not aware that they are carriers of the virus and that they are putting their partner in danger.

The HPV virus has several strains, among which the most dangerous and directly involved in the development of cervical cancer are types 16 and 18, involved in more than 70% of cervical cancer diagnoses. HPV infections are what cause the cells in the cervix to change.

Cervical cancer: symptoms

In the early stages, cervical cancer may not show any symptoms. It is all the more important that the annual screening, the annual routine consultation with the gynecologist is not overlooked. However, when they do occur, cervical cancer symptoms can manifest as:

•   abnormal vaginal bleeding between periods;

•   vaginal bleeding after intercourse;

•   vaginal bleeding after physical exertion;

•   heavier periods that last longer;

•   episodes of vaginal bleeding after the onset of menopause;

•   thick, foul-smelling, watery, purulent-looking vaginal discharge or discharge that may contain blood;

•   pain during intercourse;

•   sudden weight loss;

•   persistent fatigue or weakness.

If you notice the appearance of one or more symptoms or if one of them is repetitive, we recommend scheduling an online gynecological consultation with our primary care physician Dr. Claudia Ordeanu. Even if these symptoms do not in every case signal a diagnosis of cervical cancer, but, perhaps, the installation of an infection or hormonal imbalance, the gynecologist is the only one capable of making the difference for your benefit.

Cervical cancer diagnosis and treatment

Both the prevention and the diagnosis of cervical cancer (but also of precancerous lesions) are based on the same test: the Babeș-Papanicolau test. It involves collecting a sample of cells from the surface of the cervix and examining them cytologically. Through this process, those abnormal cells can be identified, which can later cause the appearance of cervical cancer. In the case of screening, if the test result is negative, so it does not indicate the presence of abnormalities at the cellular level, there is nothing more to do than to congratulate yourself for the correct decisions that protect your health. However, in the case of a positive result, the doctor may recommend performing other analyzes such as colposcopy, conization or biopsy, to more precisely identify the type of cellular abnormality, the exact location or the stage of cervical cancer.

In the case of a clear diagnosis of cervical cancer, the treatment options differ from case to case, depending on the stage of the cancer, the size of the tumor, the patient's age or her general health. In general, we can talk about the treatment of cervical cancer using the following methods:

•   surgery;

•   radiotherapy;

•   chemotherapy;

•   targeted therapy.

Choose not to be a statistic. Choose to be in control of your health. Choose to know what's going on in your body. If you have questions or concerns about the risk factors of cervical cancer, its causes or symptoms, or you need to talk to a gynecologist about what is happening to you, we invite you to an online gynecology consultation with doctor Claudia Ordeanu.