Risk Factors of Cervical Cancer:

Today, we are going to discuss some of the risk factors of cervical cancer. They are many that it will not be possible for us to exhaust all of them, but let us see how far we can go today.

1) HUMAN PAPILLUM VIRUS INFECTION (HPV): This is the most important of all the risk factors associated to the cancer of the cervix. Doctors believe that before a woman can develop cervical cancer, she must have been infected by HPV. Some types of this HPV are classified as “high risk” because they are the main causes of cervical cancer. These types include HPV 6, HPV 18, HPV 31, HPV 35, and HPV 45 and many other. About two-thirds of all cervical cancers are caused by HPV 16-18.

2) SMOKING: Women who smoke are more likely to get cervical cancer than women who don’t smoke. Smoking exposes the body to many cancer-causing chemicals that affects not only the lungs, but other parts of the body. The lungs will first of all, absorb these harmful substances, and later transfer it into the blood stream throughout the body. The by-products of tobacco have been found in the cervical mucus of women who smoke. These substances damage the DNA of the cervix cells and may equally lead to the development of cervical cancer.

3) IMMUNOSUPPRESSION: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes AIDS. This virus damages the immune system of the body completely and makes women to be more at risk for HPV infection. This is one of the causes of increased risk of cervical cancer in women with AIDS. The immune system is very important in destroying cancer cells, and slowing down their growth and spread. A cervical pre-cancer is likely to develop into an invasive cancer faster in women with HIV.

4) CHLAMYDIA INFECTION: This is a very common bacterium that can infect the reproductive system. The spread is mainly through sexual contact. Women whose blood tests show past or present Chlamydia infection are at a higher risk of cervical cancer, as against women with normal test results. This type of infection often shows no symptoms in women. Unless a woman goes for the examination of her pelvic region, she may not know that she is infected of Chlamydia. When this stays long in the body, it leads to pelvic inflammation, which also leads to infertility.

5) DIETS: Diets low in fruits and vegetables can increase the risk of cervical cancer. Also, overweight can equally lead to cervical cancer.

6) BIRTH CONTROL PILLS: The usage of birth control pills for a long time increases the risk of cervical cancer in women. The longer these pills are used, the risk goes up, and goes down after it is stopped.

7) MULTIPLE PREGNANCIES: Women with many full time pregnancies have an increased risk of the cancer of the cervix. This may be because some of these women may have been exposed to unprotected sexual acts which have therefore exposed them to HPV infection. This is because the immune system of the pregnant woman is weak, which allows for HPV infection/ cancer growth.

LOW SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS: Many women with low income don’t have access to adequate health care services, including pap tests, and the implication of this is that they will not be screened or treated for pre-cancerous cervical diseases.

9) FAMILY HISTORY: Cervical cancer runs in some families. If your mother or sister has cervical cancer, your risk of developing this disease is higher. Women from the same family as a patient already diagnosed of cervical cancer may be more likely to have one or more of the other non-genetic risk factors previously described in this section.

I will love to hear what are your own views or opinions on this post.

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Cervical Cancer Surgery in India at Special surgery cells of Mumbai

Special surgery cells of Mumbai offers world class medical facilities for cervical cancer surgery in India with ever-growing commitment to serve patients with affordable medical care, more advanced technology and superior facilities comparable with any of the western countries. India has state of the art hospitals at Mumbai and the best qualified doctors the best infrastructure accompanied with the most competitive prices. Combining cervical cancer surgery in India with a sincere, caring environment and personal and professional care make you feel confident and comfortable with cancer treatments abroad.

What is cervical cancer surgery

When patients need treatment for cancer in the cervix or treatment for the area close to the tumor, doctors may recommend cervical cancer surgery. Most women with early cervical cancer will require surgery to remove the cervix and uterus this is known as a total hysterectomy. Surgery for cancer of the cervix usually involves removing the womb nearby lymph nodes and a small part of the vagina. If the cancer cells have spread only very slightly beyond the surface cells of the cervix, it may be possible to treat this with a cone biopsy, laser therapy or using cold coagulation. An operation called a trachelectomy may also be possible.

Cervical Cancer surgery options

The following surgical procedures may be used as part of cervical cancer treatment.

Conization

Conization, also called a cone biopsy, is a procedure that is used to remove a cone-shaped piece of tissue from the cervix and cervical canal. A pathologist will view the tissue under a microscope to look for cancer cells. This type of surgery may be used to diagnose or treat a cervical condition.

Total Hysterectomy

A total hysterectomy is a surgical procedure that is used to remove the uterus, including the cervix. Three different procedures may be used to perform a total hysterectomy:

A vaginal hysterectomy, in which the uterus and cervix are taken out through the vagina

A total abdominal hysterectomy, in which the uterus and cervix are taken out through a large incision (cut) in the abdomen (stomach)

A total laparoscopic hysterectomy, in which the uterus and cervix are taken out through a small incision in the abdomen using a laparoscope.

Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy (BSO)

A BSO is a surgical procedure that is used to remove the ovaries and the fallopian tubes.

Radical Hysterectomy

A radical hysterectomy is a surgical procedure that is used to remove the uterus, cervix, and part of the vagina. The ovaries, fallopian tubes, or nearby lymph nodes may also be removed.

Pelvic Exenteration

A pelvic exenteration is a surgical procedure that is used to remove the lower colon, rectum, and bladder. For women, the cervix, vagina, ovaries, and nearby lymph nodes are also removed. Surgeons will need to make artificial openings (stomas) for the urine and the stool. Women may need plastic surgery to make an artificial vagina after they have had a pelvic exenteration.

Cryosurgery

Cryosurgery is a treatment that uses an instrument to freeze and destroy abnormal tissue, such as carcinoma in situ. This type of cervical cancer surgery is also called cryotherapy.

Laser Surgery

Laser surgery is a procedure that uses a laser beam (a narrow beam of intense light) as a knife to make bloodless cuts in tissue or to remove a surface lesion such as a tumor.

Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP)

LEEP is a treatment that uses electrical current (passed through a thin wire loop) as a knife to remove abnormal tissue or cancer.

Recovering From Cervical Cancer Surgery

It takes time to heal after surgery for cervical cancer, and the recovery time is different for each woman. If you had surgery to remove a small tumor on the surface of the cervix, you may experience cramping, pain, bleeding, or a watery discharge.

If you had a hysterectomy, the length of the hospital stay may vary from several days to a week. Common discomforts after a hysterectomy include:

Feeling tired or weak

Nausea and vomiting

Bladder and bowel problems.

After cervical cancer surgery, your doctor may restrict your diet to liquids at first, with a gradual return to solid food. However, most women return to their normal activities within four to eight weeks after surgery.

Why India

Cervical Cancer surgery in India is provided with internationally accredited medical facilities using the latest technologies and highly qualified surgeons and hospital support staff. If you are looking for world-class medical facilities at affordable prices, with no waiting periods, India is the best place to visit. Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities Indian hospitals are proven leaders in providing world-class treatments where some of the most complex surgeries like cervical cancer surgery can be done in just a few days, at a fraction of the cost in the Western World. Medical tourism in India is aligned with only the finest health care providers in India facilitating world class medical care travel within India and promises to deliver life changing experiences and unforgettable memories.

To get more info on Cervical Cancer surgery in India at visit us at http://www.forerunnershealthcare.com or mail your queries at enquiry@forerunnershealthcare.com

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Cervical cancer treatment in India with staff of world class experts

Cervical cancer treatment in India is provided at state of the art hospitals by some of the best doctors in the world. Cervical cancer is malignant neoplasm of the cervix uteri or cervical area. It may present with vaginal bleeding but symptoms may be absent until the cancer is in its advanced stages. Treatment consists of surgery in early stages and chemotherapy and radiotherapy in advanced stages of the disease. Cervical cancer treatment in India benefits from a large staff of world class experts and the ultra-competitive cost advantage it offers.

Signs and symptoms

The early stages of cervical cancer may be completely asymptomatic. Vaginal bleeding, contact bleeding or (rarely) a vaginal mass may indicate the presence of malignancy. Also, moderate pain during sexual intercourse and vaginal discharge are symptoms of cervical cancer. In advanced disease, metastases may be present in the abdomen, lungs or elsewhere. Symptoms of advanced cervical cancer may include: loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue, pelvic pain, back pain, leg pain, single swollen leg, heavy bleeding from the vagina, leaking of urine or faeces from the vagina, and bone fractures.

Causes of cervical cancer Human papillomavirus infection

The most important risk factor in the development of cervical cancer is infection with a high-risk strain of human papillomavirus. The virus cancer link works by triggering alterations in the cells of the cervix, which can lead to the development of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, which can lead to cancer.

Cofactors

The American Cancer Society provides the following list of risk factors for cervical cancer: human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, smoking, HIV infection, chlamydia infection, dietary factors, hormonal contraception, multiple pregnancies, exposure to the hormonal drug diethylstilbestrol (DES) and a family history of cervical cancer. There is a possible genetic risk associated with HLA-B7.

Treatment

Treatment of cervical cancer is directed at preventing precancerous cells from becoming cancerous cells.

This is usually a step-by-step process, involving the removal of cells or tissue to diagnose cancer and to find out how far it has invaded. If the deepest cells removed by biopsy were normal, no further treatment may be needed. If the deepest cells removed by biopsy were cancerous or precancerous, this means the cancer has invaded farther than the biopsy. In these cases, treatment generally starts with removal of additional tissues. As these tissues are removed, they are checked for dysplastic change to be sure all the precancerous or cancerous cells have been removed from the body or are otherwise destroyed. Cervical cancer treatment in India is performed  by the qualified surgeons after the consultation and physical examination of patients.

Indian Medical tourism is fulfilling the growing demands of International Patients for their medical treatments in India that combined the advantages of high quality medical care and absence of waiting lists for most of the medical treatment procedures. International Patients approaching Cervical cancer treatment in India are able to draw on the pool of expertise and skills of board certified doctors / consultants / surgeons who work as a team for the best of care and treatment. In addition to the access to specialist skills, the patients also have the quality assurance that the medical services are peer reviewed and medically audited. For more information on Cervical cancer treatment in India visit us at http://www.forerunnershealthcare.com or mail your queries at enquiry@forerunnershealthcare.com or you can call at +91-9371136499, +91-9860755000, + 1-415-599-2537 (USA) / +44-20-8133-2571 (UK).

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Invasive Cervical Cancer Symptoms

Is this song permanently lodged in your brain? Do the words “Tell Someone” have new meaning? You have pharmaceutical company Merck to thank. Invasive Cervical Cancer SymptomsThese slogans are from its commercials aiming to raise awareness about the link between HPV and cervical cancer and Merck’s HPV vaccine, Gardasil.

Before this connection was discovered, we didn’t know what caused cervical cancer and the only way to know you had it was through a pap test. Kim, 43, was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 1993. Throughout her treatment, there was no mention of HPV and it wasn’t until years later (after beating the cancer) that she realized the cause. “I didn’t even know HPV caused cervical cancer until I saw those commercials; my doctor didn’t even tell me when I had it,” Kim says. “I had never even heard of HPV until the commercials and I read an article about it and said, ‘Oh, I guess that’s what I had.’”

Many women don’t know much about HPV until it affects them, even though as many as 80 percent will acquire HPV at some point in their lives.

In a 2005 Health Information National Trends Survey, only 40 percent of women respondents had heard of HPV and less than 20 percent knew it could lead to cervical cancer. Think back to 2005, before the commercials worked into your consciousness, how much did you know about HPV? Probably nothing, which is scary, considering about 10 women die from cervical cancer in America everyday, according to the American Cancer Society.

There are women who develop cervical cancer who have only had one partner and women who have had several partners. Discovering the link between a virus and cervical cancer is extraordinary, but it shouldn’t lead people to believe those who develop cervical cancer were reckless with their sexual health. Here are some facts about HPV and cervical cancer the 30 second TV commercials don’t include-but you should know:

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1. What are the ways I can get HPV? HPV can be contracted through almost any sexual contact, sometimes even oral sex. Condoms decrease the risk by about 70 percent, but since any genital contact can spread HPV, the skin not covered by a condom puts you at risk. Most people with HPV show no symptoms. This means that practically anyone-from your husband to your one-night-stand-could pass along HPV.

2. What strains of HPV cause cervical cancer? There are about a hundred different types of HPV, but only a few cause cancer. Most cases will clear up on their own with no treatment. Gardasil protects against types 16 and 18, which cause about 70 percent of cervical cancer cases, and types 6 and 11, which are responsible for about 90 percent of genital warts cases.

3. How can I protect myself against HPV and cervical cancer? Condoms can help protect against HPV and the Gardasil vaccine will be a big help against it as long as you don’t already have the strains that cause cervical cancer.

The American Cancer Society outlines other risk factors for catching HPV and developing cervical cancer as well. They include smoking (which weakens your immune system), having sex at an early age, many sexual partners, a partner who has had many partners, sex with uncircumcised males, HIV or Chlamydia, poor diet or family history of cervical cancer. Doctors say women will not develop cervical cancer without first contracting HPV, so the best line of defense is to not get HPV at all.

4. What’s the deal with the HPV vaccine? Gardasil was approved by the FDA for girls aged 9-26. They recommend getting vaccinated before you’re sexually active, since the longer you wait the more likely it is that you’ll already have HPV. The vaccine is given as three separate shots over six months and costs 0, not including the cost of the doctor’s office visit. Most insurance companies cover the costs, but check before you are vaccinated. Merck also has a plan for qualified women to be vaccinated for free. So if you’re uninsured or your insurance doesn’t cover it, talk to your doctor about this program. Many Planned Parenthood centers also carry Gardasil and the price will depend on your insurance coverage.

5. I’m over 26, can I still get vaccinated? As of right now, Gardasil is only approved for women aged 9-26, so your insurance company most likely won’t cover it if you are older than 26. Further testing is being done for other age groups so in the future that might be expanded. Talk to your doctor if you are over 26 and still interested in being vaccinated to find out if he or she will vaccinate you.

6. I already have HPV, so Gardasil won’t help me, right? Actually, there are many strains of HPV, so, even if you know you already have it, talk to your doctor because you can still get protection from the other cancer-causing strains with Gardasil.

7. I’m only sleeping with one person. I don’t need to be vaccinated, do I? It’s not a bad idea. It’s entirely possible that your husband or boyfriend could pass HPV on to you from a previous relationship. Also, I know we hate to think of these possibilities, but Gardasil can be helpful if your partner cheats on you or if you are raped by someone with HPV.

8. What’s the downside to Gardasil? There are some negatives to this vaccine that you should consider. First, there may be side effects such as pain or swelling where you were injected, nausea, fever or dizziness. However, the side effects are pretty rare. Also, since the vaccine doesn’t protect against all types of cervical cancer, you still have to get regular pap tests (so no saying goodbye to your yearly gyno appointments). Gardasil also does not protect against any other STDs, so protection is still very necessary during sex and it will not clear up an existing infection of HPV or cervical cancer. The high cost of the vaccine can also be a problem so be sure to talk to your insurance company and doctor to find out how much it will cost before you’re injected.

In the end, it’s up to you to weigh the pros and cons of the HPV vaccine, but hopefully now you can do so with a little more information than a Tell Someone commercial provides.

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