Cervical Cancer: Risk Factors, Warning Signs, and Treatment

Having known the cervical cancer causes, symptoms/ warning signs, diagnosis, and treatments, be sure to get regular health check-ups for cancer so that a deadly and terrible disease can be avoided from becoming a part of your life

- Dr. Geeta S. Narayanan

Cervical Cancer is the second most life-threatening disease in Indian women. Awareness about cervical cancer risk factors (warning signs), symptoms, causes, and treatment becomes vital in context of this fact. Cervical Cancer occurs in the cervix, an organ in the female reproductive system located in the birth canal part of the uterus. The uncontrolled growth of cells due to a genetic abnormality in the cervix leads to cervical cancer.

Cervical Cancer Occurrence in India 

Cervical cancer is the second most fatal cancer in Indian women. Of the total deaths occurring worldwide due to cervical cancer, India itself accounts for 25% of the deaths. The situation is thus, an alarming one and the primary cause is very little awareness about cervical cancer among the Indian women.

Types of Cervical Cancer 

There are two types of cervical cancer that can occur depending on the location of the cancer in the cervix.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Thin and flat cells which are the squamous epithelial cells present at the bottom of the cervix, when grow out of control cause the squamous cell carcinoma. It occurs in the ectocervix or exocervix region. More than 80% of cervical cancer cases are related to the squamous cell carcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma: Adenocarcinoma occurs when the glandular cells in the upper region of the cervix or the endocervix region grow out of control. Although adenocarcinomas are not as common as squamous cell carcinoma they too are present in large numbers and a significant health challenge.

Cervical Cancer Causes: The How of it All?