What Causes Cervical Cancer?

Poor hygiene, HPV infection, multiple sex partners, coitus in the early age.

Lack of awareness leads to late presentation.

What are common symptoms of cervical cancer?

Has varied presentations, most often presents with bleeding per vagina, white discharge and pain during sex. Other symptoms include watery discharge, back pain and urinary problems.

How is the diagnosis of cervical cancer made?

Clinical presentation guides specialist to the diagnosis. Cervical biopsy is done for confirmation. It’s a painless procedure. After confirmation CECT Scan abdomen and pelvis done to know the extent of cancer. Staging done to decide the treatment options.

What are the stages and treatments of cervical cancer?

Stage I confined to cervix

Stage II spread beyond the cervix

Stage III spread up to pelvic side wall

Stage IV adjacent organ involvement

Treatment options

Stage I Surgery

Stage II Radiation

Stage III Radiation

Stage IV Radiation

What is the life expectancy of patients with cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer patients detected at an early stage who undergo complete treatment can be cured.

Locally advanced cervical cancer patients receiving radiation followed by surgery if needed can also expect good survival,some of them get cured. It’s important that women around 40yrs to attend screening programs and try to improve awareness about the symptoms of cervical cancer , so that early presentations increase and most of those patients can be cured.

Written and Verified by,

Dr. Madhu Devarasetty

Senior consultant Surgical Oncologist & Robotic Surgeon

Uma Cancer foundation & Kims hospital Secunderabad