Most women have heard of ovarian and cervical cancer. It is one of the reasons you are pressured so much to see your doctor once a year and have a pap smear done. Cervical cancer is a very serious disease that all women should be aware of and take measures to prevent. It is the second leading type of cancer found in women today. However, if you have a routine exam yearly then it greatly reduces the risk of you having this disease. It helps to reduce the risk by allowing your doctor to find and treat the cancer before it has time to spread and turn into invasive cancer. So what causes ovarian and cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer is when cancer cells develop in the lining of a woman’s cervix. The cervix is the lower part of womb or uterus. African Americans, Native Americans and Hispanic are in the high risk category for this disease. It is also very common in middle age women and older. It does take time for ovarian and cervical cancer to develop which is why early screening is important. When cancer develops normal cells begin to deform and change into cancer cells. They go through a process when the cells are in a precancerous stage and if not treated it changes into cancer. Flat but scaly surface cells line the cervix and this is the most common place that invasive ovarian and cervical cancer develops.
Although the cause of ovarian and cervical cancer is not known there are certain factors that increase the risk of developing this type of cancer. The sexually transmitted disease called human papillomavirus or HPV for short is highly associated with invasive ovarian and cervical cancer. Other factors that increase your chances of developing ovarian and cervical cancer include a history of sexual transmitted diseases, having multiple partners and having sex when very young. Women who smoke double their risk of developing ovarian and cervical cancer. It is very important for a woman to have regular routine examinations to help find this condition early so they can receive treatment and prevent invasive ovarian and cervical cancer from developing.
Cervical cancer begins in stages. It starts with the cells in the uterus changing into precancerous cells. Over time these change into cancer cells and if left untreated they will spread to other vital organs in your body. It takes time for these changes to occur which is why having a regular routine exam is so important. The earlier the cancer is found the better you will be able to treat it. In the early stages of precancerous cells there are not any signs to look for. After it begins to progress into cancer you begin to experience vaginal bleeding or a yellow discharge. You may also feel pain when urinating or having sex. Lower back pain is also a sign of ovarian and cervical cancer. It is suggested that you receive your pap smears every year to make sure that if you are developing ovarian and cervical cancer, it is caught in its early stages.
Learn more about
Cervical Cancer Stages and Treatments plus
Vaginal Hysterectomy Information at http://www.hysterectomyresources.com/
