Cervical Cancer>What is CaCx

What is cervical Cancer?

This is the uncontrolled growth of some cells on the cervix [the mouth of the womb. Cells on the cervix begin to grow slowly and abnormally over several years. These early (pre-cancerous) changes can grow into cancer if they are not identified [screening] and treated early.

Signs and Symptoms

• Symptom-free women are usually healthy looking and the condition is usually painless in early stages
• Irregular / intermenstrual or contact vaginal bleeding
• Foul vaginal discharge that never improves with treatment
• Pain (deep pelvic or back pain)
• In advanced cases; severe anaemia, renal failure, fistulae (rectal/vesico-vaginal), lymphoedema

Risk Factors

• Caused by Human Papilloma virus (HPV)
• Early age at first sexual intercourse
• Multiple sexual partners
• Wives in polygamous unions
• All risky sexual behavior
• Smoking
• Women at risk are those who have ever been sexually active
• All those above 25 years up to 60.

Prevention of CaCx

• Education & awareness
• Vaccination with HPV Vaccine
• Main stay is regular screening;
  Screening options
  - Pap smear - annually
  - HPV testing – used in conjunction with Pap or alone
  - Visual inspection of cervix with 5% acetic acid/lugol’s iodine – every 3 years
  - Colposcopy/biopsy – used with above 3
• Treatment of pre-cancer (cryotherapy, LEEP),
  - For early invasive cacx (surgery, radiotherapy)
  - For inoperable disease (Radiotherapy, Palliative care)