Cervical

Cancer
A Guide for Patients

DR. LINU ABRAHAM JACOB

Basic Understanding
The cervix is part of the female reproductive system
which also comprises the uterus, ovaries, fallopian
tubes, vagina and vulva. The cervix is the lower part
of the uterus that connects with the vagina.

Cervical Cancer
Basic Understanding
The functions of the cervix include: Producing some
of the moistness that lubricates the vagina. Producing
the mucous that helps sperm travel up to the fallopian
tube to fertilize an egg from the ovary. Holding a
developing baby in the uterus during pregnancy.
During childbirth, the cervix widens to allow the baby
to pass down into the birth canal (vagina). The cervix
is covered by two kinds of cells: squamous and
glandular. The squamous cells are found in the area
of the cervix closest to the vagina and the glandular
cells are found further up the cervix towards the
uterus. The area where the squamous cells and the
glandular cells meet is called the transformation zone
What is Cervical Cancer?
The cervix is the lower region of the uterus, which
leads into the vagina. A woman has cervical cancer
when cancerous cells grow in the cervix. It can be
successfully treated if detected early . A common way
of testing for cervical cancer and getting an early
diagnosis is through what is known as the Pap test. It
detects changes in the cells before they become
cancerous.

Types of cervical cancer

The two main types of cervical cancer are named
after the types of cells that they start in:
1-Squamous cell carcinomas are the most common
type, accounting for about 80 per cent of cervical
cancers.
2-Adenocarcinoma is a less common type that starts
in the glandular cells higher up the cervix.
Symptoms of cervical cancer
The most common symptoms include:
1-Vaginal bleeding between periods or after
menopause
2-Bleeding after intercourse
3- Pain during intercourse
4-Unusual vaginal discharge
5- Excessive tiredness
6-Leg pain or swelling
7- Lower back pain
These symptoms can also be caused by other more
common conditions.
What causes cervical cancer?

The majority of cervical cancer cases stem from a

virus called the human papillomavirus or HPV. It is a
communicable virus and one can get infected by
sexual contact with someone who already has it. A
pregnant mother with HPV can pass it on to the
offspring during delivery.

There are many types of HPV and not all of them

cause cervical cancer. However, HPV is a very
common virus and most people get infected with
some variety of the virus in their lifetime. Non-
cancerous HPV may not even manifest any
symptoms.

Other causes of cervical cancer

Smoking – chemicals in tobacco can damage the cells
of the cervix and make cancer more likely to develop.
What causes cervical cancer?

Family history – if you have a first-degree relative

(mother, sister ordaughter) who has had cervical
cancer, you have an increased chance of developing
it.
Diethylstilboestrol (DES) exposure – DES is an
oestrogen-based medication prescribed to women
from the 1950s to the early 1970s to prevent
miscarriage. Studies have shown that the daughters
of women who took DES have an increased risk of
developing a rare type of adenocarcinoma

Still, cervical cancer is a common cancer type in

India with more than 1,30,000 new cases reported
each year, which lead to more than 74,000 deaths.
Cumulatively, Indian women face a 2.5% risk of
developing the cancer in their lifetime. 1.4% percent
of Indian women risk death due to cervical can
 What is the cervical cancer
vaccine? 
Like all vaccines, HPV vaccine immunizes the body
against the virus. Since nearly all cervical cancer
cases can be blamed on the HPV virus. Hence it
makes a lot of sense for sexual active women to be
protected against the virus.

How effective are these vaccines?

According to the World Health Organization, girls as
young as between 9 and 13 years should receive the
vaccine as it is most immunogenic or effective at
these ages. Girls under 15 years can be protected
with only two doses of the required vaccine
administered in a 6 to 12 month interval.

Girls and women above 15 years as well as those

with weaker immune systems or HIV patients require
3 doses in the same time period.
What is the cervical cancer
vaccine? 
Like all vaccines, HPV vaccine immunizes the body
against the virus. Since nearly all cervical cancer
cases can be blamed on the HPV virus, it makes a lot
of sense for sexually active women to be protected
against the virus.

How effective are these vaccines?

According to the World Health Organization, girls as
young as between 9 and 13 years should receive the
vaccine as it is most immunogenic or effective at
these ages. Girls under 15 years can be protected
with only two doses of the required vaccine
administered in a 6 to 12 month interval.

Girls and women above 15 years as well as those

with weaker immune systems or HIV patients require
3 doses in the same time period.
Till what age is the vaccine
recommended?  
The vaccines work best for women up till the age of
26. After women cross this threshold, the immune
reaction to the vaccine is not as strong and getting
vaccinated can become an economic choice. And
though several studies have shown that the vaccines
are most effective for women under 26, they may not
help sexually active women under 26, especially
those with multiple partners. They may already have
been exposed to strains of the virus, which are
targeted by the vaccines.

Are there any side effects of the

vaccine?
No side effects have been seen in women who have
been vaccinated. Till date, more than 200 million
vaccinations have been administered in over 80
countries. Studies in post-vaccine patients have
shown no relation to chronic diseases, neurological
disorders or even autoimmune disorders. No data
shows any serious side effects
What about infertility? Do the
vaccines affect fertility in
women?

Absolutely not. There is no link between the vaccines

and infertility. Infertility is definitely not an issue.
www.oncologyinternational.com

Log To Know more