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Cervical Cancer overview in relation to HPV

Cervical cancer is a condition that appears to be directly caused by HPV. This disease is located in the cervix tissues in the form of malignant cells. The condition flows from HPV to dysplasia then develops into cervical cancer often over a long period of time with very few symptoms.

Often due to the fact that a person hardly ever has any symptoms the only way to stay ahead of cervical cancer is to get a regular pap test. Usually the only time there is symptoms are when cells of the cervix have already become cancerous and are invading surrounding tissue. And then the symptoms might be attributed to something else.

What are some possible symptoms or signs?

They are;

* Abnormal bleeding

* Bleeding after intercourse

* bleeding between menses

* bleeding after an exam

* bleeding after douching

* The menses cycle might last longer

* The menses bleeding might be heavier than normal for you

* Lower back pain

* Genital warts

* Persistent or abnormal discharge

As you can see these symptoms can be attributed to something else and very well might not be cervical cancer. However there are a few methods to diagnosis cervical cancer.

As stated the first step is the Pap test or smear. Once this finds an abnormality the following procedures might be performed for further diagnosis.

They are:

* An ECC or Endocervical curettage - scrapes tissue from cervix opening

* Colposcopy - a coloscopes is used to view cervix after an application of vinegar

* Biopsy - cervical tissue exam

* LEEP or Loop electrosurgical excision procedure - an electric wire is used to obtain a slice of the cervix

* Conization or cone biopsy

* Schiller test - utilizes iodine

There is also another form of testing that looks for HPV infection. This test can be done in conjunction with a pap smear. It is a very simple test and the utilizes a brush that collects the cell samples which are then placed and preserved in a liquid with a process known as liquid cytology. The test is basically fool proof.

Are there factors that are common in obtaining cervical cancer?

Yes, there seems to be some common risk factors.

Such as:

* Poor nutrition

* Vitamin deficiencies

* Multiple sex partners

* Smoking

* Intercourse early in life

* STD diseases

* HPV of the genitals

* Women who have taken DES to prevent miscarriage

* Oral contraceptives taken for more than five years

* partnering with someone who was intimate with someone who had cervical cancer

* A suppressed immune system function

* Folate in the red blood cells being at low levels

Can a person prevent or head off cervical cancer?

It is possible to help prevent cervical cancer with good nutrition, eating lots of brasicca vegetables, regular pap smears and hpv tests. Some of the more obvious and surest way is to abstain from indiscriminate relationships or abstain from sexual activity.

One might also use a condom and the female condom is better at preventing skin to skin contact therefore offers the best protection at helping to prevent the first possible step to cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer is very preventable in most cases but is one of the biggest killers being second only to breast cancer. It is wise to maintain a vigil with regular screening for the hpv virus and the detection of cell abnormalities of the cervix via a smear from the cervix. Doing these things could help save you from cervical cancer.