Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer is the growth of abnormal cells in the lining of the cervix. The most common cervical cancer is squamous cell carcinoma, accounting for 70% of cases.
Symptoms
Precancerous changes in cervical cells rarely cause symptoms. Undergoing regular cervical screening tests will provide early detection. If early cell changes develop into cervical cancer, the most common signs include:
• Vaginal bleeding between periods
• Menstrual bleeding that is longer or heavier than usual
• Pain during intercourse
• Bleeding after intercourse
• Pelvic pain
• Changes to vaginal discharge
• Vaginal bleeding after menopause
Causes
Almost all cases of cervical cancer are caused by persistent infection with some high-risk types of the human papillomavirus (HPV). The other main risk factor for cervical cancer is smoking.
Other risk factors include:
• A weakened immune system
• If your mother was prescribed diethylstilbestrol (DES), an artificial form of the female hormone oestrogen during pregnancy (between 1939 and 1971)
Diagnosis
If your screening test results suggest you have symptoms of cancer you will be referred to a specialist for further tests.
The standard tests for cervical cancer are:
• Colposcopy with biopsy - a colposcopy identifies where abnormal cells are located in the cervix, and the appearance of these cells. A speculum is inserted into the vagina so that the doctor can view the cervix and vagina via a colposcope. If the colposcopist identifies any suspicious looking areas, they will usually take a tissue sample (biopsy) from the surface of the cervix for further examination
• Large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ) - if any of the tests show precancerous cell changes, you may have a LLETZ. This is the most common method to remove cervical tissue for examination and treating precancerous changes of the cervix
Treatment
Staging - if cervical cancer is detected, it will be staged. Staging begins at stage 1, which means abnormal cells are found only in the tissue of the cervix, through to stage 4, which means the cancer has spread beyond the cervix. This helps your doctors plan the best treatment for you.
Types Of Treatment
Treatment depends on disease stage. For early and smaller cancers, treatment is generally surgery, sometimes with chemoradiation afterwards.
If the tumour is small, a cone biopsy may suffice, in some cases hysterectomy is required.
For locally advanced disease, a combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy is used.
For metastatic disease, the treatment is chemotherapy or palliative care alone.
Treatment Team
Depending on your treatment, your treatment team may consist of a number of different health professionals, such as:
• GP - oversees general health and liaises with specialists to coordinate treatment
• Gynaecological oncologist - diagnoses and treats cancers of the female reproductive system
• Radiation oncologist - prescribes and coordinates radiation therapy treatment
• Medical oncologist - prescribes and coordinates the course of chemotherapy
• Cancer care coordinators - coordinate your care, liaise with the multidisciplinary team and support you & your family throughout treatment
• Dietician / Nutritionist - oversees a nutritional plan during treatment and recovery
• Other allied health care professionals - such as social workers, pharmacists, counsellors, Naturopaths