Cervical cancer
The symptoms, prevention, and treatment
Cervical cancer starts from the cells of the cervix. The squamous cells of the cervix are more numerous. It can also cause adenocarcinoma. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus and the upper part of the vagina. There is no end to people’s discussions about breast cancer. Still, it is also essential to know about cervical cancer. Did you know that it is the second most common cancer globally and the fifth leading cause of death from cancer? Every two minutes, one woman in the world dies of this cancer. But it is possible to prevent it only if you are a little aware.
Causes of cervical cancer
First, find out the reason. The human papillomavirus causes 90% of human cancers. So this is the main reason. There are some high-risk strains in this virus that have vaccines to prevent it. There is no vaccine for the rest. So there should be regular check-ups, especially for women over forty. Some risk factors should also be avoided.
What are the risk factors for cervical cancer?
1) Get married at a young age
2) Taking a childa at a young age
3) If a person has this disease of his ex-wife, to have sexual intercourse with her
4) Having sex with more than one person
5) Frequent or more babies
6) Use food pills
7) Infection – HIV, Human papilloma, chlamydia virus infection
These factors help prevent cancer germs in a woman’s body. Adequately covered, it will withstand a lot of adverse conditions. But, unfortunately, there is a lack of education among the lower classes. But those who are pretty educated and health-conscious need to be aware of these things and make the people around them, even working girls, aware. Life is life, and it is precious.
Prevention of cervical cancer
The cervical cancer vaccine can be taken after ten years. Once the cancer is gone, the vaccine is of no use. There are three doses. The second dose should be given one month after the first dose, and the third dose should be taken five months after the first one. I have already said that vaccines cannot prevent this cancer 100%. But in regular check-ups, there is a pap smear test, and it is possible to detect any change in your cervical cancer.
This is a screening test. It is better to do it once every 3-5 years. It can be done after 21 years. It should be done regularly after 40 years. It is better to do it once a year after 50 years. Even if the vaccine is given, the test must be done. Its use is much more in the developed world. If the cancer is already detected, it can be treated with laser ablation, cryotherapy, and other treatments. What to do in case of cancer is mentioned below.
Symptoms of cervical cancer
There are usually no symptoms in the early stage. Notable symptoms of this disease are –
1) Bleeding in the vagina, bleeding during intercourse or contact, that is, bleeding at the touch of something
2) Vaginal discharge
The disease can spread throughout the body through metastasis. In the advanced stage, the symptoms spread to the abdomen and lungs, such as –
3) Weight loss, loss of appetite, body fatigue
4) Cough, coughing up blood
5) Diarrhea, blood in the stool, burning sensation in the urine, frequent urination
6) Suffering from blood emptiness
7) Back pain, lower abdominal pain, leg pain, and swelling of the legs
Cervical cancer and Bangladesh
According to a 2010 survey, 13,000 women are newly diagnosed with cervical cancer in Bangladesh, and 600 die each year. The number is not very low. And as the days go by, the numbers are staggering, averaging 16 people. The government is running a social awareness campaign for vaccination. As a result, the death rate from cervical cancer is expected to decrease by 2020.
What is the treatment for cervical cancer?
Individual treatment is given at each stage based on the stage. Surgery, radio, and chemotherapy are the three types of treatment given. Some common treatments are given in addition to the initial treatment. Depending on the symptoms, painkillers, antibiotics, blood transfusions, etc., are taken. Wertheim’s radical hysterectomy, pelvic exenteration is notable among the surgeries.
Surgery is performed in the first and second stages. Once advanced, surgery is of no use because the cancer seeds spread throughout the body. Radiotherapy is used at all stages. Its size is reduced with radiotherapy long before surgery. Chemotherapy doctors understand the need. Regular follow-up after the operation is essential. Follow-up should be done every three months for the first one year, every six months for the next year, and then every year.
I hope I can explain at least a little bit. No one survives forever. But this small effort is to prevent tragic consequences like cancer. Even if one benefits, it will be good. I wish everyone well to the Creator.