The cervix is the lower, narrow end of the uterus which connects the uterus to the vagina. The uterus is that part where baby grows during pregnancy. Cervical cancer is the uncontrolled growth of cells in the cervix of female body. 

Cervical cancer is of two types:

Squamous cell carcinomas:  Begins in thin, flat cells, called squamous cells.   More than 80℅ cervical cancer is squamous cell carcinomas. 

Adenocarcinomas: Begins in column shaped gland cells.   About 10 to 20 ℅ cervical cancers are adenocarcinomas. 

Symptoms of cervical cancer:

At the beginning of the cancer, it may not show any symptoms. But as it grows, cervical cancer may show some symptoms and some signs. 

Some common signs are:

• Heavier and longer than usual menstrual bleeding 
• Watery and bloody vaginal discharge
• Pain during intercourse

Other symptoms may include:

• Difficult and painful urination. Sometimes even blood can come out with urine
• Bleeding from rectum when pooping 
• Losing weight and appetite
• Feeling illness 
• Swelling in legs etc. 

What causes cervical cancer?

There are some common reasons which can cause cervical cancer. 

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) : It is a virus which cause 70℅ of the cervical cancer. Almost every people who are sexually active will get infected with HPV at some point of their life. 

Multiple sexual encounters: A person having sexual contact with many persons is likely to catch cervical cancer. 

There are some other factors also which can add fuel to chance of having a cervical cancer like:

• Smoking tobacco
• Sexual activity at a very young age
• Other sexually transmitted infections. 
• Weakened immune system
• Exposure to miscarriage prevention medicine

Detection of cervical cancer:

Cervical cancer develops not at once. It takes years to form. Before turning to cancer, the cells of the cervix have to go through a lot of changes. These cells start to appear irregular or abnormal which may go away or stay the same or can turn into cancer cells. 

Using regular gynecological screenings and  a Pap test can detect most cases of the cervical cancer. 

A Pap test is a test in which cells from cervix are collected. These collected cells are examined to find signs of precancers or other irregularities.

Another test is HPV test. In this test the high-risk types of HPV infection are defected which are most likely to cause cervical cancer.

If the healthcare providers suspect that you have a cancer, then they may examine cervix and take a sample of tissues for biopsy. 

Treatment of cervical cancer:

The team who is doing the cervical cancer treatment includes a gynaecologist who has a specialization in cancer of female reproductive organs. 

The treatment of the cancer is done depending upon the age, general health, the stage of the cancer and if the patient wants kids in the future. 

The techniques that are used for the treatment of the cervical cancer are—radiation, chemotherapy, surgery, targeted therapy and immunotherapy. 

Radiation therapy: Uses high energy radiation beams to kill the cancer cells in the cervix. 

Chemotherapy: It uses drugs that are injected through veins or taken by mouth to kill cancer cells. It enters into blood and is effective for killing cells anywhere in our body. 

Surgery: In this process tumor and some surrounding healthy tissues are removed during an operation. For cancer which has not spread beyond the cervix, these procedures are often used. 

Targeted therapy: In this process of the treatment, cancer’s specific genes, protein or the tissues that contribute to the growth and survival of the cancer, is targeted. This treatment blocks the growth and spread of the cancer and limits the damaging of the healthy cells.

Immunotherapy: It uses the  natural ability of our body to defense cancer by Improving our immune system’s ability to fight against cancer cells. 

Why India for cervical cancer treatment? 

• Currently India has world’s topmost leading facility hospitals which provide the latest treatment under surgical oncology, radiation oncology and medical oncology. 
• These hospitals provide comprehensive cervical cancer care which is delivered by trained and certified surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists and medical oncologists. 
• When it comes to cervical cancer, Indian hospitals have wide range of diagnostic tests and various types of treatment options available for the patients. 
• Indian hospitals are World famous for their testing low cost public health screening of cervical cancer, incorporation of the latest technological advancement and providing high quality evidence for therapeutic management of cervical cancer. 
• If you’re seeking for the treatment of cervical cancer, then India would be the best option for cervical cancer treatment.