Cervix Cancer
March 10th, 2009The female uterus is connected to the vagina through an opening called the cervix.It is the connection between where a fetus lies to the birth canal. Cervix cancer occurs in this region, generally in the area called the ‘transformation zone’. This transformation zone is the meddle region of a cervix.
Cervix cancer can be of two main types – the most common kind of cervical cancer is called squamous cell carcinoma. This kind of cancer is found when the squamous cells on the lining of the cervix closer to the vagina start producing too many cells that interfere with the actions of healthy cells. The other type, which is less common, is called adenocarcinoma, which is formed by the mucus forming gland cells in the inner part of the cervix. Adenocarcinoma has become a more common form in the past three decades.
There are many risk factors that may increase the chance of a person developing cervix cancer. But it has to be mentioned that having these risk factors does not mean you will definitely have cervical cancer. Being infected by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is said to increase your chances of getting cervical cancer greatly. HPV is a kind of virus that is most commonly related to warts that form in different regions of the body. It is spread through skin-to-skin contact and so can be spread by intercourse, oral or anal sex. The Pap test is a good way of knowing if you have been infected by this virus. But it is important to know that having this virus does not mean you have cervical cancer.Smoking is considered another big risk factor in women. Researchers believe that carcinogens from tobacco smoke may alter the DNA of cervix cells, causing them to become cancerous. Other risk factors include the wrong diet, use of oral contraceptives in some case and even being affected by AIDS. Again, it is important to remember that having these risk factors does not necessarily mean you will have cervical cancer, but it is always better to do a few tests.
Treatment for cervical cancer and uterine cancer can be done by surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy. It is most common to be treated using a mixture of two of these methods, and it is always advisable to listen to what the doctor has to say about these treatments.