Cervix Cancer

Cervix cancer or cervical cancer as is sometimes known is a malignant cancer that affects the cervix. Signs and symptoms may not show in the early stages. However one major symptom is vaginal bleeding. Mild pain during sexual intercourse and vaginal discharge are other signs of the disease. Late symptoms of this type of cancer include pelvic pain, heavy bleeding from the vagina, loss of appetite and back pain. Other signs are fatigue, leaking of urine, leg pain and faeces from the vagina. In the advanced stages, the disease could spread to the abdomen and the lungs.Infection by the human papilloma virus (HPV) is a major risk in the development of cervix cancer. The virus triggers alteration to the cells of the cervix leading to the disease. Women with many sexual partners are at great risk of getting the disease. It is also worth to note that although human papilloma virus causes Genital Warts, the warts are not associated with the disease.Smoking, Chlamydia, HIV infection, hormonal contraception and multiple pregnancies are other risk factors. History of the disease in the family increases the risk of the disease. A patient must have HPV to develop cancer of the cervix and it is therefore that this type of cancer is regarded as a sexually transmitted disease. Use of condoms therefore reduces transmission of cervix cancer. A pap smear is a vital screening test but the diagnosis can only be confirmed through a biopsy of the cervix. Removal of the whole uterus including part of the vagina in a process called hysterectomy is one way of treating the disease. For patients who wish to remain fertile, loop electrical excision procedure (LEEP) or cone biopsy is used for treatment.