The lower portion of a woman’s womb, which connects the uterus with the vagina is called uterine cervix, and the abnormal growth of cells in that region is called cervical cancer.

In cervical cancer, cells of the cervix start invading other tissues and organs of the body. When the cancer is invasive, it affects the deeper tissues of the cervix and spreads to other parts of the body (metastasis), most likely the lungs, vagina, liver, bladder, and rectum.

Causes
Abnormal changes in the cervical tissue may be a sign of the onset of cervical cancer. These abnormal changes can be caused by an infection due to the human papillomavirus (HPV). Sexual contact, oral contraceptives, and multiple sexual partners can increase the risk of cervical cancer as they lead to greater exposure to HPV.

Cigarettes are another cause for the development of cervical cancer. The chemicals in the tobacco interact with cervical cells, causing precancerous changes that can lead to cancer if left unchecked. The risk of cervical cancer due to the cigarette is generally two to five times more than the other causes.

Symptoms
There are many cases of cancer in which you may show no signs or symptoms of cervical cancer until it progressed to a dangerous stage. The symptoms may include

• pain if the cancer is at an advanced stage,
• unusual vaginal discharge,
• unusual vaginal bleeding other than during menstruation,
• kidney failure caused by urinary tract or bowel obstruction (advanced stage),  and
• pelvic pain.

Medical care
There is a range of conditions that can cause vaginal bleeding, which may not be related to cervical cancer. They vary on the basis of your medical history, age, and fertility. It is not normal if you are menopausal and experiencing vaginal bleeding. In such cases, you need immediate consultation with your health care provider. Unusually heavy bleeding during the period or frequent bleeding between the periods also require evaluation.

Invasive cancer
If the abnormal cells spread deeper into the cervix and/or to other organs and tissues, then it will be called cervical cancer/invasive cervical cancer/metastatic cancer. Cervical cancer happens most often in women aged 40 years or older. Once the biopsy results show positive for invasive cancer, a series of tests are performed to determine how far cancer has spread.

The tests are used to determine the stage of cervical cancer. By affirming how far cancer has spread, the doctors can make a reasonable guess about your prognosis and treatment you will need.

Medical treatment for cervical cancer

• If a biopsy shows that cancerous cells have invaded through the basement membrane, surgery is usually required. The extent of the surgery varies, depending on the stage of cancer.
• Radiotherapy uses high-energy rays to damage the cancerous cells and stop their growth. The radiation affects the area affected by cancer cells.
• Chemotherapy makes the use of powerful medications to kill cancer cells. It is often used when the cancer is locally advanced or has spread to other parts of the body. It could be one or a combination of medications.

Cervical cancer needs proper diagnosis and treatment. Regular checkups and tests can help in early diagnosis.