It starts in the glandular cells, which are found in the cervical canal. The Cervical Screening Test cannot easily detect early changes that lead to this cancer, although sometimes these changes are picked up.
Risk factors for cervical cancer Cervical cancer almost always develops from cell changes caused by the human papillomavirus HPV , which is spread through genital skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity. Cervical cancer and the Cervical Screening Test The Cervical Screening Test is a quick and simple test that checks for changes in the cervical cells that may lead to cervical cancer. Diagnosis of cervical cancer Various tests are used to detect cervical cancer including: colposcopy - examines the vagina and cervix with a magnifying instrument to check for abnormalities biopsy - a small tissue sample is taken from the cervix during a colposcopy cone biopsy - a larger tissue sample is removed from the cervix under anaesthetic.
Treatment for cervical cancer Some of the treatments for cervical cancer include: cone biopsy - if detected early, some cervical cancers can be removed during a biopsy hysterectomy - the removal of the uterus radiotherapy - the use of x-rays to destroy the cancer cells chemotherapy - the use of anti-cancer drugs that stop cancer cells from multiplying. When a cure for cervical cancer isn't possible If cervical cancer has been diagnosed in its later stages, the cancer may have spread to the point where a cure is no longer possible.
Cervical cancer , Cancer Council Victoria. More information here. Department of Health - Screening and Cancer Prevention. Give feedback about this page. Was this page helpful? Yes No. View all cancer. Related information.
Support groups Cancer Council Victoria - Support groups. From other websites Cancer Council Victoria. National Cervical Screening Program. PapScreen Victoria. Victorian Cervical Cytology Registry. Content disclaimer Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Back to Cervical cancer.
Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by an infection with certain high-risk types of human papillomavirus HPV. Anyone with a cervix can get cervical cancer. This includes trans and non-binary people with a cervix. If your ovaries are surgically removed or they're damaged during treatment with radiotherapy , it will trigger an early menopause if you haven't already had it.
Most women experience the menopause in their early fifties. The menopause is caused when your ovaries stop producing the hormones oestrogen and progesterone. This leads to the following symptoms:. These symptoms can be relieved by taking a number of medications that stimulate the production of oestrogen and progesterone. This treatment is known as hormone replacement therapy HRT. Radiotherapy to treat cervical cancer can often cause your vagina to become narrower, which can make having sex painful or difficult.
There are two main treatment options if you have a narrowed vagina. The first is to apply hormonal cream to your vagina. This should increase moisture within your vagina and make having sex easier. The second is to use a vaginal dilator, which is a tampon-shaped device made of plastic. You insert it into your vagina and is designed to help make it more supple. It's usually recommended that you insert the dilator for 5 to 10 minutes at a time on a regular basis during the day over the course of 6 to 12 months.
Many women find discussing the use of a vaginal dilator embarrassing, but it's a standard and well-recognised treatment for narrowing of the vagina. Your specialist cancer nurse or radiographers in the radiotherapy department should be able to give you more information and advice. You may find that the more times you have sex, the less painful it becomes. However, it may be several months before you feel emotionally ready to be intimate with a sexual partner.
The Macmillan Cancer Support website has more information about sexuality and cancer. If the lymph nodes in your pelvis are removed, it can sometimes disrupt the normal workings of your lymphatic system. One of the functions of the lymphatic system is to drain away excess fluid from the body's tissue. A disruption to this process can lead to a build-up of fluid in the tissue known as lymphoedema. This can cause certain body parts to become swollen — usually the legs, in cases of cervical cancer.
There are exercises and massage techniques that can reduce the swelling. Wearing specially designed bandages and compression garments can also help. Read more about treating lymphoedema. The emotional impact of living with cervical cancer can be significant. Many people report experiencing a "rollercoaster" effect. For example, you may feel down when you receive a diagnosis, but feel better when removal of the cancer has been confirmed.
You may then feel down again as you try to come to terms with the after-effects of your treatment. This type of emotional disruption can sometimes trigger depression. Typical signs of depression include feeling sad, hopeless and losing interest in things you used to enjoy.
Contact your GP if you think you may be depressed. There is a range of effective treatments available, including antidepressant medication and talking therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy CBT. You may also find Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust a useful resource. It's the UK's only charity dedicated to women affected by cervical cancer. Local cancer support groups may also be available in your area for women affected by cancer.
Your specialist cancer nurse should be able to provide contact details. Read more about feelings and cancer. A number of effective painkilling medications can usually be used to control the pain.
Depending on the levels of pain, they can range from paracetamol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs such as ibuprofen , to more powerful opiate-based painkillers, such as codeine and morphine.
Tell your care team if the painkillers you're prescribed aren't effective in reducing your pain. You may need to be prescribed a stronger medication. A short course of radiotherapy may also be effective in controlling the pain. Macmillan nurses , who work both in hospitals and in the community, can also provide expert advice about pain relief.
Your kidneys remove waste material from your blood. The waste is passed out of your body in urine through tubes called the ureters. Kidney function can be monitored by a simple blood test called serum creatinine level.
In some cases of advanced cervical cancer, the cancerous tumour can press against the ureters, blocking the flow of urine out of the kidneys. The build-up of urine inside the kidneys is known as hydronephrosis and can cause the kidneys to become swollen and stretched.
Severe cases of hydronephrosis can cause the kidneys to become scarred, which can lead to the loss of most or all of the kidneys' functions. This is known as kidney failure. Treatment options for kidney failure associated with cervical cancer include draining urine out of the kidneys using a tube inserted through the skin and into each kidney percutaneous nephrostomy.
Another option is to widen the ureters by placing a small metal tube called a stent inside them. As with other types of cancer, cervical cancer can make the blood "stickier" and more prone to forming clots. Bed rest after surgery and chemotherapy can also increase the risk of developing a clot.
Large tumours can press on the veins in the pelvis, which slows the flow of blood and can lead to a blood clot developing in the legs. A major concern in these cases is that the blood clot from the leg vein will travel up to the lungs and block the supply of blood. This is known as a pulmonary embolism and can be fatal. Blood clots in the legs are usually treated using a combination of blood-thinning medication, such as heparin or warfarin , and compression garments designed to help encourage the flow of blood through the limbs.
Read more about treating deep vein thrombosis. If the cancer spreads into your vagina, bowel or bladder, it can cause significant damage, resulting in bleeding.
Bleeding can occur in your vagina or rectum back passage , or you may pass blood when you urinate. Minor bleeding can often be treated using a medication called tranexamic acid, which encourages the blood to clot and stop the bleeding. Radiotherapy can also be highly effective in controlling bleeding caused by cancer. Major bleeding may be treated temporarily by vaginal packing using gauze to stem the bleeding and later by surgery, radiotherapy or by cutting off blood supply to the cervix.
A fistula is an uncommon but distressing complication that occurs in around 1 in 50 cases of advanced cervical cancer. A fistula is an abnormal channel that develops between two sections of the body.
In most cases involving cervical cancer, the fistula develops between the bladder and the vagina. This can lead to a persistent discharge of fluid from the vagina. A fistula can sometimes develop between the vagina and rectum. Surgery is usually required to repair a fistula, although it's often not possible in women with advanced cervical cancer, because they're usually too frail to withstand the effects of surgery.
In such cases, treatment often involves using medication, creams and lotions to reduce the amount of discharge and protect the vagina and surrounding tissue from damage and irritation. Another uncommon, but distressing, complication of advanced cervical cancer is an unpleasant-smelling discharge from your vagina.
The discharge can occur for a number of reasons, such as the breakdown of tissue, the leakage of bladder or bowel contents out of the vagina, or a bacterial infection of the vagina. Treatment options for vaginal discharge include an antibacterial gel called metronidazole and wearing clothing that contains charcoal. Charcoal is a chemical compound that's very effective in absorbing unpleasant smells. If your doctors can't do any more to treat your cancer, your care will focus on controlling your symptoms and helping you to be as comfortable as possible.
This is called palliative care. Palliative care also includes psychological, social and spiritual support for you and your family or carers. There are different options for terminal care in the late stages of cancer.
You may want to think about whether you'd like to be cared for in hospital, in a hospice or at home, and discuss these issues with your doctor. Some organisations who provide care for people with cancer include:. The impact of cervical cancer on your daily life will depend on the stage of cancer and the treatment you're having. Many women with cervical cancer have a radical hysterectomy. This is a major operation that takes around 6 to 12 weeks to recover from.
During this time, you need to avoid strenuous tasks and lifting, such as lifting children or heavy shopping bags. You won't be able to drive for 3 to 8 weeks after the operation.
Most women will also need 8 to 12 weeks off work to recover after having a radical hysterectomy. Some of the treatments for cervical cancer can make you very tired, particularly chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Because of this, you may need to take a break from some of your normal activities for a while. Don't be afraid to ask for practical help from family and friends if you need it. Practical help may also be available from your local authority. Ask your doctor or nurse about who to contact. Having cervical cancer doesn't necessarily mean you'll have to give up work, although you may need quite a lot of time off. During treatment, you may not be able to carry on as you did before.
If you have cancer, you're covered by the Disability Discrimination Act. This means that your employer isn't allowed to discriminate against you because of your illness.
They have a duty to make "reasonable adjustments" to help you cope. Examples of these include:. The definition of what's "reasonable" depends on the situation, such as how much it would affect your employer's business, for example. You should give your employer as much information as possible about how much time you'll need off and when. Pap testing can also help you catch cervical cancer in the early stages. The early stages of cervical cancer are very treatable.
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