Cervical Cancer

In Nigeria, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women, especially among those between 15 and 44 years of age. It constitutes one of the most common cancers that affect women’s reproductive organs and the rampage is unrestrained.

Annual number of cervical cancer cases                                           -           14550

Annual number of cervical cancer deaths                                         -           9659

Projected number of new cervical cancer cases in 2025                  -           22914

Crude incidence rates per 100,000 population and year                   -           19.3%

From WHO/ICO HPV information centre 3^rd Ed. 2010.

Causes and Risk factors

Cervical cancer begins with abnormal changes in the cervical tissue. The risk of developing these abnormal changes has been associated with certain factors.

• Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection. This is the most important risk factor. Almost all cases of cervical cancer have HPV in the cells.
• Having many sexual partners: the greater your number of sexual partners- and the greater your partner’s number of sexual partners – the greater your chance of acquiring HPV.
• Smoking: the chemicals in the cigarette interact with cells in the cervix leading to the abnormal proliferation.
• Early sexual contact.
• Long term use of birth control pills.

Presenting Features

Similar to many cancers, there may be no symptom or sign of cervical cancer until it has progressed to a dangerous stage.

However, the most common symptom is abnormal vaginal bleeding. This is any bleeding from the vagina other than during menstruation. This may be bleeding after intercourse, between periods or after menopause.

Others are watery, bloody vaginal discharge that may be heavy and have a foul odour.

Pelvic pain or pain during intercourse.

When to see a Doctor

Make an appointment with your doctor if you have any signs or symptoms that worry you.

Treatment:

Cervical cancer that is caught early can usually be cursed.

The treatments for cervical cancer include:

• Surgery
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy

However, the treatment depends on how much the cancer has grown. There may be one or a combination of treatments.

Outlook

The prognosis for cervical cancer depends on the stage of a cancer when it is found.

The stage of a cancer is a measure of how far it has progressed. In other words, what other organs or tissues have been invaded.

• For the earliest stage, more than 90% of women survive at least 5 years after diagnosis.
• Later stages have a significantly worse outlook.

Prevention

The key to preventing invasive cervical cancer is to detect any cell changes early before they become cancerous.

1a    Pap smears: scrapping of the cervical cells and viewing them under the microscope for cell changes.

  b    You should have your first Pap smear when you become sexually active, irrespective of your age.

  c    If you are not sexually active, you should have your first Pap smear at 18years or earlier.

  d    In both cases, you should have a yearly Pap smear.

1. Vaccination against HPV: Vaccines can protect against the most dangerous types of HPV. The vaccine is most effective if given to girls before they become sexually active. There are two of these vaccines now. Gardasil and Cervarix.

Conclusion

Cervical cancer is common amongst Nigerian women and is responsible for a significant mortality of women that suffer from it. However, this disease can be cured if detected very early.

Regular Pap smears will help to significantly reduce disease burden and death from cervical cancer.