What is the Cervical Cancer?

In general, cancer is a disease caused by cells that develop changes in their DNA. The life cycle of a cell is to grow, multiply at a marked rate, and die at some point in time.

A cell with mutated DNA, also called "neoplastic", does not function correctly, so it multiplies without control in an autonomous manner, and generates abnormal masses, which become malignant, invading other tissues locally and at a distance, unlike a benign abnormal mass that does not disperse or invade other tissues or parts of the body.

Many types of cancer are preventable considering certain risk factors that must be taken into account and contemplating preventive medical studies that facilitate early detection and thus, treat and cure it.

Cancer is one of the main public health concerns since it represents the second leading cause of death, with breast cancer being the most diagnosed and cervical cancer the second. Both represent the two leading causes of cancer death in women over 25 years of age.

The seriousness of both cases is that they produce neither symptoms nor warning signs, and usually, when there are already symptoms, the cancer is in advanced stages, reducing the possibility of success.

Advanced Signs of Cervical Cancer

Advanced signs of cervical cancer include:

Vaginal bleeding in any of these cases:
- After sexual intercourse
- Between periods
- After menopause
Vaginal discharge that is watery, bloody, and it may be heavy and foul-smelling.
Pelvic pain or pain during sexual intercourse.

Causes of Cervical Cancer

The specific causes of cervical cancer are not clear, but it has been conclusively demonstrated that the human papillomavirus plays an important role in its development, supported by other factors such as:

Many sexual partners without barrier protection such as condoms. The greater the number of partners and sexual relations without adequate protection, the greater the chances of contracting HPV (human papillomavirus). In this sense, the number of sexual partners is also relevant for the woman and the man with whom she is intimate since this would activate the chain of contagion.
Having other Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD), such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV/AIDS, can increase the risk of contracting HPV (human papillomavirus).
Weakened Immune System. A system weakened by another health condition makes it easier for HPV (human papillomavirus) to attack.
Smoking. There is an association with squamous cell cervical cancer.
Medication use. There is data that certain medications in the past taken by women during pregnancy increased the possibility of cervical cancer for their babies. For example, Ditilestibestrol (DES) in the 1950s increased the risk of clear cell adenocarcinoma cervical cancer.