Cervical cancer develops from a pre-cancerous condition known as dysplasia. It starts in the cervix, the lower part of a woman's womb or uterus. The vast majority of cases of cervical cancer are caused by the human papilloma virus, more commonly known as the HPV. If untreated, it spreads slowly to other parts of the body, literally taking years to do so in most cases. People with cervical cancer do not usually find themselves bothered by it until it has spread to other parts of the body.
Symptoms of cervical cancer include:
* continuous discharge from the vagina. These discharges are usually pale, watery, pink, brown, bloody or foul smelling.
* Abnormal vaginal bleeding between monthly periods, after sexual intercourse or after the woman has gone through menopause.
* A definite change in the heaviness and length of monthly periods.
* The start of bleeding after the end of menopause.
* Loss of appetite.
* Unexplainable loss in weight.
* Unexplainable frequent times of fatigue.
* Pelvic pain.
* Back pain.
* Swelling in just one leg.
* Urine or feces leaking from the vagina.
* A definite increase in the tendency to experience bone fractures.
Cervical cancer is one of the major reasons why it is so important that women have regular pap smear tests. Dysplasia Is easily detected and easily dealt with. The majority of cases of this cancer are the result of women not taking proper precautions against it by having pap smear tests. While medical studies have shown this cancer to be the third most common form of cancer amongst women on a world wide basis, it is very seldom seen in the United States today, thanks to pap smears and the proper follow up when dysplasia is detected.
Medical professionals are quick to assure us that the presence of cervical cancer does not mean that the cancer itself or the surgical removal of it will result in a woman being unable to bear children. There are several different forms of surgery which can be used to successfully remove the cancer while doing no harm to the cervix or any part of the uterus in any way. These include loop electrosurgical excision procedure, in which electricity is used to remove any abnormal tissue, cryotherapy, in which abnormal cells are frozen and laser therapy in which light is used to burn away any abnormal tissue found.
The best way to deal with cervical cancer is to follow the advice given us by our medical professionals and have tests done on a regular basis so that it can be stopped before it ever gets a chance to start.

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Cervical cancer is a slow-growing cancer that develops in the lining of the cervix, which is the lower, narrow part of the uterus that connects the uterus to the vagina. An estimated 12,200 women in the United States were diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2010 and 4,210 died from it during that year. Fifty-eight percent of those 12,100 women were between the ages of 45 and 74. The 5 year survival rate from 1999 to 2006 was 70 percent. New early screening tests and a new vaccine are contributing to improved outcomes for this form of cancer.
There are two main types of cervical cancer: squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common form, occurring in about 80 to 90 percent of all cases. It develops in the thin, flat cells, called squamous cells, that cover the surface of the endocervix, the portion of the cervix closest to the uterus. Adenocarcinoma is more common in younger women and forms in the gland cells within the endocervix.
Although scientists are not 100 percent sure on how cervical cancer develops, they have been able to identify a number of risk factors which can lead to the disease. The chief risk factor is associated with sexually transmitted viruses such as some types of the human papillomavirus, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The bacterial based Chlamydia, also transmitted during sexual activity, is another risk factor for cancer of the cervix. Other factors which can lead to an increased risk of include: smoking, a diet low in fruits and vegetables, obesity, long-term use of oral contraceptives, and multiple pregnancies. A family history of cervical cancer is another high risk consideration.
Unfortunately, the symptoms of cervical cancer are asymptomatic (showing no symptoms) in the early stages. It is not until it has reached the later sub-stages and stages that it becomes noticeable. The most common symptoms include:

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding
• Abnormal vaginal discharge with light blood spots or light bleeding between periods.
• A higher amount of blood loss than normal during menstruation.
• Bleeding following intercourse, pelvic exam, or douching.
• Pain during intercourse.
• General pelvic pain.

A diagnosis of cervical cancer can be made with the aid of several instruments and imaging devices. The two most common instruments include a cystoscope, (a thin, tube-shaped instrument with a light and optical device at one end which is inserted into the vagina) and a proctoscope (similar to a cystocope but is inserted into the anal cavity to examine invasive forms of cervical cancer). The most common imaging tests include an x-ray, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), and intravenous urography. Doctors may also perform a PAP smear, and a biopsy is taken in many cases.
While traditional cancer treatment methods of chemotherapy and radiation are often utilized in cervical cancer, there are eight different types of surgical procedures used which include:

1. Cryosurgery: A type of surgery which uses liquid nitrogen to freeze and kill cancer cells.
2. Laser Surgery: A type of surgery which uses a laser beam as a sort of knife to cut away tumors without causing bleeding.
3. Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP): Type of surgery which uses a thin wire loop positioned around the tumor and delivers a low intense electric current.
4. Conization: Type of surgery where a cone shape mass of tissue is removed from the cervix with the help of a laser or LEEP.
5. Simple hysterectomy: Removal of the uterus without adjacent tissues.
6. Total hysterectomy: Type of surgery where the uterus is removed together with adjacent structures or organs (parametria and uterosacral ligaments, the upper part of the vagina located next to the cervix, the lymph node, and sometimes the fallopian tubes and ovaries).
7. Trachelectomy: A new type of surgery where the cervix is removed while attempting to preserve as much healthy tissue as possible. The lymph nodes are also removed. A "purse-string" stitch is also created which will act as the opening to the cervix. Early trials show that women that have this type of surgery have fewer relapses of cervical cancer.
8. Pelvic exenteration: Similar to a total hysterectomy but more organs are removed which include: uterus, parametria and uterosacral ligaments, upper part of the vagina closest to the cervix, lymph node, fallopian tubes, ovaries, rectum, and part of the colon and urine bladder.

Cervical cancer can be prevented with changes to those risk factors associated with the disease. These changes include:

• Delaying sexual intercourse until marriage
• Limiting the number of sexual partners.
• Avoiding sexual contact with promiscuous partners.
• Quitting smoking.
• Eating more fruits and vegetables, and foods high in vitamins and minerals.
• Exercising.
• Losing weight if obese.

Women can also receive Gardasil, a new vaccine aimed at HPV viruses 6,11, 16, and 18, which can all lead to cervical cancer. This vaccine prevents infection of HPV and can not be used to treat an existing infection. Gardasil requires a series of three injections over a six month period. Gardasil only works on these four types of HPV and does not prevent other HPV types from causing to cervical cancer, although these occurrences are extremely rare.

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