Cervical cancer has come more and more into the public eye in recent years, thanks, in part, to the development and availability of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine. But what exactly is cervical cancer and how might it affect your wellbeing?
Your cervix is the part of your reproductive system that connects your uterus to your vagina. During your period, this lower, narrow part of the uterus allows the menstrual blood to flow out into the vagina, and when you’re pregnant, your cervix is closed tightly to prevent the baby from leaving the uterus until he or she is ready to be born. During child birth, your cervix then dilates or widens to allow the baby to pass from the uterus to the vagina.
So, then, your cervix plays an important role in your reproductive wellness, but where does cancer come in? Although the exact causes of cervical cancer are not known, several risk factors are linked with the disease. The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), for example, is a group of viruses that can infect your cervix, and this accounts for most cases of cervical cancer. You can primarily contract HPV from someone else during unprotected sexual contact, and so if you start having sex at a young age, or have multiple sexual partners, you are more likely to have HPV. Also, your risk of HPV increases the younger you have sex, because the cells that line your cervix do not fully mature until the age of 18.
Other than HPV, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), such as gonorrhoea, chlamydia, syphilis or HIV/ AIDS increase your risk, and women with cervical cancer generally have a history of STD infection. You’re also more likely to develop cervical cancer if you’re a smoker, or if you using birth control pills for a long period (over five years), though the risk decreases when you stop using the pill.
When it comes to symptoms, you need to be on the look out for abnormal vaginal bleeding, which can occur at any time during your cycle, and can be heavy or light. This bleeding symptom can also occur when your cervix is irritated, such as during sex or a pelvic exam. Also, you may experience unusual heavy discharge, which might be foul smelling, watery, thick or contain mucus, as well as pelvic pain not related to your usual cycle, and bladder pain during urination. If you do experience these symptoms, consult a doctor so the problem can be treated early.
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