Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women, reporting about 500,000 cases a year world wide. 80-90% of invasive cervical cancer develops in the flat, scaly cells that line the cervix.Cervical cancer develops in the lining of the cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus. Normal cervical cells may undergo changes that make them precancerous, then cancerous, then taking time for this disease to transpire. Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) is the term used to describe these abnormal changes.
Women who smoke are twice as likely to develop cervical cancer. Middle-aged women who are lower class and don't have regular screening available to them are more likely to develop the disease as well. There is also a higher incidence rate in African-American, Hispanic, and Native-American women. Regular screening with a Pap smear is a good way to prevent the cancer from becoming invasive. Early detection and treatment is available this way. Early cervical cancer often has no symptoms, thus making an abnormal Pap smear the first indication. Symptoms following this have included:
Cancer treatment itself can cause premature menopause in a lot of women. These women are then exposed to the risks of menopause related diseases for many more years than the average woman. This creates a dilemma. Some breast cancer survivors may be at a greater risk of dying from heart disease or osteoporosis than for recurrence of their cancer.
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding (e.g., spotting after sexual intercourse, bleeding between menstrual periods, increased menstrual bleeding)
- Abnormal (yellow, odorous) vaginal discharge
- Low back pain
- Painful sexual intercourse (dyspareunia)
- Painful urination (dysuria)
Each woman is different in the type of breast cancer they have, and the amount of estrogen receptors present. When doctors are deciding whether to put a patient on estrogen replacement therapy, they need to carefully weigh the risks that the patient has for each of these health issues. Only you and your doctor can accurately determine which type of treatment is right for you.
Nov. 8 2005. http://www.estronaut.com/a/breast_cancer_hrt.htm. Copyright ? 1999. GenneX Healthcare Technologies, Inc.
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