Cervical cancer: Early detection is the key

Cervical cancer is among the most preventable cancers. In fact, it is 100 per cent preventable through vaccines and regular screening.

This type of cancer can also be successfully treated if detected early, when the cancerous cells are still confined within the cervix.

According to Dr Lucy Muchiri, a pathologist, cervical cancer has a cure rate of about 90 per cent if found early. Even more good news: with pre-cancerous lesions (changes in the cervix that can become cancer with time) the cure rate goes up to 100 per cent if detected early and promptly treated.

However, the cure rate is minimal— about 10 per cent — if the disease is at StageFour, when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Dear Doc,

My mother had cervical cancer. What are my chances of getting the disease and what are other risk factors of getting cervical cancer? Is there anything I can do protect myself?
Liz

Dear Liz,

Thank you for asking this question and for taking the trouble to try and understand the risk factors you might have for this disease, which affects many women worldwide. Having a family history of cervical cancer places you at risk of getting the disease. But as already mentioned, it is just a risk factor and does not necessarily mean that you will develop the disease. Many women have risk factors but never develop the disease in their lifetime.

Several other risk factors can increase your chances of developing cervical cancer. These include engaging in early sex when the cervix is still delicate and susceptible to infections; having multiple sexual partners, which increases the risk of getting an infection of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which is an important risk factor for most cases of cervical cancer; and having a weakened immune system, for instance, due to HIV infections.

If you are a smoker or have used contraceptives continuously for a long time, you might be at risk of the disease. Cervical cancer is also associated with women who are aged 40 and above.

While some of the risk factors can be prevented by changing your lifestyle, for instance quitting smoking, other factors like age and family history cannot be avoided.

Therefore, it is more important for women who have any risk factor to go for regular pap smear tests so that if they have cervical cancer, it can be detected early. Meanwhile, using condoms and getting vaccinated against HPV are effective in preventing HPV infection.

Dear Doc,
Are there signs and symptoms for cervical cancer I should look out for?
Kim

Dear Kim,

Usually, cancer has no symptoms at all in the beginning. The longer a person takes to get treatment for cervical cancer, the more likely that the person will develop symptoms. A person with advanced cervical cancer will experience symptoms such as coital bleeding because of delicate lining of the cervix, abnormally increased vaginal discharge, painful sex/urination, or pelvic pain. It is important to note that these symptoms can signify other health problems or infections.

Therefore, if you experience one or more of these symptoms, talk to a doctor immediately so that the possible problem can be diagnosed and proper treatment given as early as possible to avoid complications later.

Unfortunately, some women, particularly young ones, ignore the symptoms of cervical cancer or delay going for check-up until the disease has progressed to other parts of the body, by which time great damage has been done.

Dear Doc,
Can a woman still get pregnant after being successfully treated for cervical cancer?
Glory

Dear Glory,
In most cases when a woman is told she has cervical cancer, the first thing that comes in mind is getting treatment and living a normal life. However, some women, particularly those who are relatively young, worry that they might never experience the joys of motherhood.

Unfortunately, if you are treated using radiotherapy, which kills or stops the ovaries from functioning, or surgery, that is a hysterectomy, which involves the removal of the womb, you will not be able to get pregnant after completing treatment.

It is, therefore, important to discuss extensively the benefits and possible side-effects of each treatment option before embarking on any. Women who want to have children after treatment might choose to have their eggs preserved before they begin treatment.

Dear Doc,

What is an acetic acid wash?

Wams

Dear Wams,
An acetic acid wash is a test used for screening cervical cancer. It involves visual screening of the cervix by using acetic acid (white table vinegar). It can be performed by a doctor, nurse or a professional midwife.

During the test, vinegar is applied to the cervix to see if there are any changes wiithin such as precancerous lesions so that they are visible to the “naked eye”. The vinegar clears the mucus, making it possible to spot the abnormal areas in the cervix. The parts that develop white stains after the acetic acid is applied are referred to as acetowhite lesions. Sometimes, a dilute iodine solution may be used to stain the cervix for further examination of abnormalities. Healthy cells absorb the iodine stain and turn brown evenly while the precancerous and cancerous parts do l not change colour.

Dear Doc,
Is it true that cigarette smoking can cause cervical cancer? How does this happen?
Concerned smoker

Dear concerned smoker,
Yes, it is true that smoking has been linked to the development of cervical cancer. A cigarette contains more than 4000 chemicals, all of which are toxic. When a person smokes, he or she, as well as those those around them, get exposed to cancer-causing chemicals that affect the lungs as well as other body organs. The toxic substances are absorbed in the lungs and subsequently transported throughout the body via the bloodstream.

The chemical substances in cigarettes are believed to cause genetic alterations to the cells in the cervix, which can make them cancerous.

In addition, smoking weakens the immune system, thereby making it less effective in fighting infections such as HPV.