Cervical cancer is the fourth most frequent cancer in women, and it has the greatest fatality and incidence rates.
Read on to learn everything there is to know about its causes, treatment, and expert opinions on whether it can be spread nonsexually.
Cervical cancer awareness month is observed in January, and it is symbolized by a teal ribbon.
According to the World Health Organization, cervical cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in reproductive-aged women worldwide, and it is the fourth most common cancer in women.
“Cervical cancer begins in the cells lining the cervix — the lowest section of the uterus,” according to the American Cancer Society (womb).
Cervical Cancer Awareness
The cervix connects the top section of the uterus (where a fetus grows) to the vaginal canal (birth canal). When cells in the body begin to grow out of control, cancer develops.”
Can it be transmitted non-sexually?
“The most common route for the virus to spread is through skin-to-skin contact in the vaginal area,” Dr Manisha explains.
“It’s not required that the virus be acquired without complete sexual intercourse,” she says.
As a result, it’s critical to utilize protection as a preventive strategy; nevertheless, it’s still unclear if it totally protects women against HPV infection. In our nation, experts have seen non-sexual spread of the virus.”
Dr. Manisha gave a list of non-sexual explanations “It might be due to women’s lack of cleanliness. Long-term use of hormonal contraceptives, high parity, cigarettes, and HPV co-infection are some of the other primary causes of cervical cancer.
When it comes to cervical cancer, where does it start?
The endocervix, which is the opening of the cervix that leads into the uterus and is covered with glandular cells, and the exocervix/ ectocervix, which is the outer part of the cervix that can be seen by the doctor during a speculum exam and is covered in squamous cells, are the two parts of the cervix that are covered with two different types of cells.
The transformation zone is where these two cell types meet in the cervix, and this is where most cervical malignancies begin.
Symptoms
Symptoms are common in women with early cervical cancer and pre-cancer.
Cervical cancer symptoms often do not appear until cancer has grown large enough to invade adjacent tissue.
Cervical cancer can be successfully treated and cured if detected early.
A woman should learn to detect probable warning signals in addition to having regular Pap tests performed for screening purposes so that she can bring them to the attention of a physician or specialist.
Abnormal vaginal bleeding, such as bleeding after vaginal sex, bleeding after menopause, bleeding and spotting between periods, or having (menstrual) cycles that are longer or heavier than usual, are all common indications of cervical cancer. Bleeding after douching is also a possibility.
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