Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the cervix, which is the neck of the uterus. Most cervical cancers are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). The Pap smear test is preventive in this sense. It aims to reveal cell changes that indicate possible cancer development, rather than detecting cancer itself. Therefore, women should have this test done regularly.

In the early stages of cervical cancer, a person may not experience any symptoms. Possible symptoms include: pelvic pain, bleeding between periods, bleeding after sexual intercourse, bleeding in postmenopausal women, discomfort during sexual intercourse, vaginal discharge, and a strong odor. Of course, these reasons are not a direct indication of cervical cancer; they can arise due to various factors, including infection. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should definitely see a doctor.

Stages of cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is commonly staged using a five-stage system. In stage 1, precancerous cells are present. These cells can be detected through a Pap smear test or a biorezonance test. In stage 2, cancer cells have grown into the deeper tissues of the cervix and possibly into the uterus and nearby lymph nodes. In stage 3, the cancer has spread beyond the cervix and uterus but has not yet reached the pelvic wall or the lower part of the vagina. It may affect nearby lymph nodes. In stage 4, cancer cells are found in the lower part of the vagina or the pelvic wall and may be blocking the tubes that carry urine from the bladder. It may affect nearby lymph nodes. In stage 4, cancer affects the bladder or rectum and grows outward from the pelvis. It may affect lymph nodes and can later spread to distant organs such as the liver, bones, lungs, and lymph nodes.

Causes of cervical cancer

Cancer occurs as a result of the uncontrolled division and growth of abnormal cells. Most cells in our body have a specific lifespan, and when they die, our body produces new cells to replace them. Abnormal cells continue to divide, leading to an excessive accumulation of cells that form a lump or tumor.

The factors that increase the risk of developing cervical cancer can be summarized as follows:

HPV: It is a sexually transmitted virus. More than 100 different types of HPV can be detected, at least 13 of which can cause cervical cancer.

Multiple sexual partners or early onset of sexual activity: The transmission of HPV types that cause cancer usually occurs as a result of sexual contact with an HPV-infected person. Women with multiple sexual partners generally have a higher risk of HPV infection. The risk of HPV infection increases the younger a woman is when she first has sexual intercourse. The longer a woman delays, the lower the risk.

Smoking: Smoking is an important risk factor for all types of cancer.

Immune system weakness: Risk increases in individuals with weakened immune systems or who use immune-suppressing drugs.

Birth control pills: The long-term use of some common birth control pills is among the risk factors.

Other sexually transmitted diseases: Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis increase the risk of developing cervical cancer.

Treatment of cervical cancer

The treatment options for cervical cancer include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, which are the most well-known. In addition, supportive and complementary treatment methods such as ozone therapy, bioresonance, and phytotherapy can also be effectively used.