How to Define Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is an uncontrolled growth of cancer cells that affects a woman's cervix. The 2 most common forms of cervical cancer are adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Cervical cancer is most often caused by human papillomavirus, a virus for which there is a vaccine. Once you are able to identify the type of cervical cancer you have, you and your doctor can choose the best treatment for it.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Know that the most common form of cervical cancer is squamous cell carcinoma. This form of cancer is characterized by flat cells that usually cover the endocervix near the beginning of the ectocervix. Between 80 percent and 90 percent of all cases of cervical cancer are squamous cell carcinomas.

2. Recognize adenocarcinoma as the second most common form of cervical cancer. This cancer is defined by cancerous tumors that develop in the mucus membranes of the endocervix. This form of cancer is more apt to develop in women who have been born within the last 30 years.

3. Be aware that pre-cancerous cells can develop into a case of cervical cancer, though sometimes pre-cancerous cells are destroyed prior to becoming cancerous.

4. Stop smoking immediately. Medical studies have proven that smoking increases the risk of developing cervical cancer.

5. Understand cervical cancer if you are in a high-risk category for the disease or if you are close to someone who was recently diagnosed with the illness. Knowledge can help you to support her better.

Tips & Warnings

• Receive regular checkups and pap smears from your gynecologist in order to detect problems in the earliest possible stages. Pap smears alone are not fool-proof, but, when combined with visual inspection, can often lead to an early detection.
• Ask your doctor about your risk of developing cervical cancer as a result of the presence of human papillomavirus in your system.
• Do not ignore warning signs if you feel you may be facing the possibility of cervical cancer. Should any symptoms be present, seek the opinion of your gynecologist to be safe. Many of the symptoms of cervical cancer can be indicative of less severe problems, but it is far better to err on the side of caution.
• If you receive a diagnosis of cancer, take care of your mental as well as your physical health. It is common for cancer patients to experience severe depression, so be on the lookout for its symptoms.

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