The cervix is part of a womans reproductive system. It makes mucus that helps sperm move from the vagina into the uterus or keeps sperm from entering the uterus. Every month during your menstrual period blood flows from the uterus through the cervix into the vagina. During pregnancy, the cervix is closed to keep the baby inside the uterus. During childbirth, the cervix opens (dilates) so that the baby can pass through the vagina.
Before cervical cancer develops, the cells of the cervix start to change and become abnormal. These abnormal cells are precancerous, meaning that they are not cancer. Precancerous changes to the cervix are called dysplasia of the cervix (or cervical dysplasia).
Dysplasia of the cervix is not cancer. It is a common precancerous change that can develop into cancer if it isnt treated. It is important to know that most women with dysplasia do not develop cancer.
Most women have regular cervical screening with a smear test or liquid-based cytology. The screening is designed to find early changes in the cells of the cervix, so that treatment can be given to prevent a cancer from developing. Although the aim of cervical screening is to prevent cancer, it can also sometimes detect a cancer that has already developed, before any symptoms occur.
Cancer of the cervix can take many years to develop. Before it does, changes occur in the cells of the cervix. These abnormal cells are not cancerous, and are called cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia (CIN). Some doctors call these changes pre-cancerous. This means that the cells might develop into cancer in some women if they are not treated. It is important to know that most women with CIN do not develop cancer.
CIN is usually the result of a virus infection: the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a very common virus that can affect the cells of the cervix. It is mainly passed on during sexual intercourse. Most women who have had sexual intercourse will have the virus at some time in their life. However, in many women their immune system will get rid of the virus and they won't even know they had it.
Recently several research trials have looked at using vaccines to prevent HPV infection. The results seem to show that in future, it will be possible to vaccinate young women against the high-risk types of HPV and so prevent most cases of cervical cancer.
CIN that might develop into cancer can be treated in various ways. The aim of any treatment is to remove or destroy all of the affected cells. This can be done using surgery, where the affected area of the cervix is removed by large loop excision (LLETZ) or cone biopsy. Instead, the affected areas can be destroyed by laser therapy, or using heat (cold coagulation). These procedures are usually carried out in an outpatient clinic and may be done by doctors or specialist nurses.
The Cervical Cancer Vaccine
Garadasil is the first vaccine against the human papilloma virus (HPV) that infects half of all sexually active women between the ages of 18 and 22. Apparently this vaccine has proven 97 per cent effective in protecting women from forms of HPV that cause most cervical cancers.
This virus HPV (human papilloma virus) is very very highly contagious being spread by mouth ? to ? mouth contact with the genitals or anus of the infected person. At least 80 % of North American women of reproductive age will be exposed to HPV in their lifetime. This hardy contagious virus infects cells inside and outside of the body, including surfaces of the skin, lining of the mouth, tongue, throat, tonsils, vagina, penis, cervix and anus.
Women and men who have ever had a sexual encounter, even without penetration can readily contact HPV. You may have HPV and not even know it because there are often no apparent signs or symptoms. You may not even realize that you are a silent carrier spreading the virus.
Some types of HPV can cause common skin warts and plantar wares (that is warts on the soles of the feet). In addition there are more than 30 other types of HPV viruses with other symptoms as well.
This new breakthrough vaccine Garadasil protects against 4 different HPV virus types.
The vaccine is given by injection 3 times over a three month.
Geradasil is believed to prevent cervical cancer, vaginal cancer, precancerous lesions and genital warts ? all caused by the HPV viruses.
Our immune systems are amazing in that in most cases a women's immune system keeps HPV at bay. However for some unknown reason in some cases the HPV infections linger and persist over time. This can lead to cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer can be picked up early with routine Pap smear tests.
A Pap test is a simple test where your general practitioner (GP), Obstetrician or other health care provider takes a couple of cells from your cervix for laboratory exam.
The Pap test is a very simple, standard painless exam which should be done on a regular basis especially if you have had cervical cancer in your family.
The sad fact is that most women who are diagnosed with cervical cancer have never had a Pap test or not had one in five years.
This is especially sad and tragic as caught early enough cervical cancer has a very high cure rate.
The introduction of Geradasil in Canada may substantially reduce the incidence of cervical cancer in Canada. However the vaccine does not prevent infection from all 100 ? 200 strains of the HPV virus: therefore it must be emphasized and stressed greatly that this is not a cure all. Women must still get a Pap smear test on a regular basis. Having this new vaccine does not mean that cervical cancer is cured for everyone. Prevention with regular routine PAP tests is still essential for most women.
The development of Geradasil vaccine is a medical breakthrough; some doctors want the vaccine to be available through mass immunization. The vaccine is effective only if given before infection with HPV, so an individual needs to become vaccinated before becoming sexually active. Currently in Canada Health Canada gas approved it for females between the ages of 9 to 26 years.
The Geradasil vaccine product is now available in Canada, the United States and Mexico currently.
Both Alisha Dhamani & Margaret Mathew are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Alisha Dhamani has sinced written about articles on various topics from Web Development, Careers and Job Hunting and Health. Jigfo.com is a global platform for sharing and learning knowledge. For more information on this article topics visit . Alisha Dhamani's top article generates over 18100 views. to your Favourites.
Margaret Mathew has sinced written about articles on various topics from Types of Cancer. Margaret Mathews Morgellons Research Foundation Com morgellonsresearchfoundation@yahoo.comwww.morgellonsresearchfoundation.com. Margaret Mathew's top article generates over 1300 views. to your Favourites.
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