Nobody wants to hear the word cancer, but a little knowledge can help minimize risk and improve treatment outcomes

Key Takeaways: 

• Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that affects cells in the cervix 
• The human papillomavirus (HPV) is linked to cervical cancer
• Cervical cancer can be deadly if not diagnosed early
• Screening through pap smears and HPV tests helps reduce cervical cancer-related deaths 
• The HPV vaccine also helps minimize the risk of cervical cancer 

Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the cells of the cervix – the lower, narrow end of the uterus that connects to the vagina – and typically affects women between the ages of 35 and 44. There are various types, symptoms, and causes of cervical cancer, but many cases stem from exposure to a sexually transmitted infection known as the human papillomavirus (HPV). After contracting HPV, some women carry the virus for years, which may contribute to the development of cervical cancer cells.

The good news is that, according to the American Cancer Society, cervical cancer is no longer one of the leading causes of death for women in the United States. Thanks to the HPV vaccine and the wide availability of screening tests, the mortality rate has decreased by 50% since the 1970s. 

Types, symptoms, and causes of cervical cancer 

Cervical cancer, like all cancers, occurs when the DNA of healthy cells mutates and instructs the cells to multiply at an abnormally fast rate. Healthy cells will grow, multiply, and die at a standard pace. Infected cells multiply rapidly and don’t know when to die, so this accumulation of cells forms a mass commonly known as a tumor. If cancer cells invade surrounding tissue, this can cause the disease to spread and metastasize to other parts of the body. 

Types

What we call “cervical cancer” is actually a group of conditions that may have different causes and symptoms. If you are diagnosed with cervical cancer, the type you have will determine your prognosis and treatment. The two main types are: 

• Squamous cell carcinoma. This is the most common type of cervical cancer, which appears as flat cells on the outer surface of the cervix. 
• Adenocarcinoma: Around 20 in every 100 patients have this type of cervical cancer, which starts higher up in the glandular cells of the cervix. 

Symptoms

It’s challenging to diagnose cervical cancer without screening tests because the early stages of the disease rarely produce any signs or symptoms. Even after symptoms appear, they are commonly mistaken for other conditions, such as urinary tract infections (UTIs) or abnormal periods. In more advanced stages, potential symptoms include: 

• Pelvic pain 
• Pain during intercourse 
• Pain during urination 
• Frequent need to urinate 
• Bloody or watery discharge with an unpleasant odor 
• Abnormal bleeding (between periods, after menopause, or after sex) 

Causes

Like most types of cancer, the exact cause of cervical cancer is not entirely clear; however, the link between HPV and the development of cervical cancer isn’t in doubt. Most patients who contract HPV don’t develop cancer, so environmental and lifestyle factors also come into play. 

Those environmental and lifestyle factors are important when it comes to prevention because even though there are different types of cervical cancer with potentially different causes, there are many commonalities among them as well. So how can you reduce your risk of developing cervical cancer? Read on to find out.

Reducing your risk 

Although there is no direct cause for cervical cancer, several factors increase your risk of developing the disease. These include: 

• Contracting HPV
• Smoking 
• Obesity 
• Weakened immune system
• Using oral contraceptives for a prolonged period of time
• Carrying three full-term pregnancies 
• Giving birth for the first time at age 17 or younger 

Just taking a look at this list should show you that reducing your risk of contracting cervical cancer is very much possible. In addition to quitting smoking and losing weight, one of the easiest ways to reduce your risk is by getting vaccinated against HPV. This STI is the most probable cause of cervical cancer, so prevention is important. The vaccine is suitable for males and females and is most effective before they become sexually active.

Regular screening tests are another effective way to reduce the risk of cervical cancer. Also known as a pap smear, this test will let you know whether you have any premalignant cells in your cervix. As early stages of cervical cancer don’t show any noticeable symptoms, regular screening allows for early monitoring and prevention. 

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that women from the ages of 21 to 29 go for a screening once every three years. Women from ages 30 to 65 should continue to get a pap smear every three years or a high-risk HPV (hrHPV) test every five years.

Cervical cancer prognosis

The prognosis for cervical cancer is much more favorable when the cancer is diagnosed in its early stages and remains confined to the cervix. Within the early stages, the five-year survival rate is 92%; but if the cancer spreads to the greater pelvic area, the rate drops to 56%, and if the cancer metastasizes, the survival rate drops to only 17%. So the importance of routine testing for cervical cancer cannot be understated. It can literally mean the difference between life and death.

Cervical cancer treatments 

Treatment depends on the size and type of cervical cancer involved, whether the cancer has spread, where the cancer is located, and individual factors such as immune health. In general, however, there are four ways to treat cervical cancer: 

Surgery 

This is the most common form of treatment, especially if the cancer is diagnosed early. You can undergo surgery to remove a small part of the cervix, the cervix and upper part of the vagina, or the cervix and the womb (known as a hysterectomy), depending on where the cancer is and how large it’s become. 

Chemotherapy 

Chemotherapy is an intensive drug treatment used to kill cancer cells and slow the speed of their reproduction or reduce their size before and after surgery. 

Radiation therapy 

Radiotherapy is another form of treatment that employs radiation to kill cancer cells. It is used to reduce the size of the cancer and prevent it from coming back after surgery. 

Targeted therapy 

More advanced cases of cervical cancer may require targeted therapy, which doesn’t aim to cure the disease, but rather stop it from growing.

Regardless of the specific types of treatment, they all have one thing in common: they can be prohibitively expensive. Luckily, there are services in addition to insurance that can help.

How ModRN Health can help keep your health in check

There are countless things to worry about when it comes to your health. The last thing you want on your mind is your wallet. Everyone deserves the opportunity to lead a healthy lifestyle, which is where ModRN Health comes in.

We relieve some of the added stress by providing customers with an easy way to save money on their prescriptions. Our free price comparison tool can help you save up to 90% on your medication. 

And it’s so simple. Just sign up, compare discounted prices in your area, download a voucher, and take it to your pharmacist. You can even earn reward points when you sign up for the program, fill a prescription through our service, or refer a friend, and then exchange your points for gift cards.

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