Cervical Cancer: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Abstract 

Cervical cancer affects the lower part of a woman's uterus known as the cervix. Cervix connects the vagina with the uterus. When the cervix cell starts to grow abnormally, it causes cervical cancer. The tissues which became unusually start to affects other parts of the body. The rate at which the cells grow is very low, which allows it to prevent it before it develops into cancer. The early detection of cancer has led to the decline of the virus in the United States. Women in their early 20s are diagnosed with the precancerous stage of cervical cancer. At the age of 50s, growth is always significant enough, leading to death. 

Introduction 

Cervical cancer is a virus which is scientifically known as the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). The virus attacks the uterine cervix part of the women. According to the World Health Organization, Human Papilloma Virus has the fourth-highest malignancy rate in women globally ( Li N, Howell-Jones, Snijders & Clifford, 2017) . The latest research conducted by WHO in 2016 shows that the Human Papilloma Virus had infected 520,500 women and 275,000 deaths have been reported ( Santesso et al., 2016). The literature review will look at how other researchers have done their work risk factors of Human Papilloma Virus, the etiology of cervical cancer, and their studies on the pathophysiology of the virus. On top of that, what are the diagnostic measures that have been invented in the recent past? The treatment technique, as well as the prevention measures that women should ensure they follow in order not to be infected by the deadly virus. 

Etiology 

A group of researchers Murillo, Herrero, Sierra, and Forman (2016) explored on the etiology of cervical cancer in Southern and central part of America (Murillo, Herrero, Sierra, & Forman, 2016). The research was analyzed in Lyon on the etiology of the Human Papilloma Virus. Human papillomavirus can take from 10 to 30 years in the cervix before it develops into cervical cancer. In America, there are some areas where Human Papilloma Virus infections have been reported in large numbers. The areas where the infection is worst are within the Caribbean and Latin America ( Thuler, de Aguiar & Bergmann, 2014 ). The results that they collected were highly influenced by several factors such as the biological specimen they used, their genotype as well as the methodology used in both data collection and analysis. 

Methodology 

The method that the researchers used was visiting dispensaries and clinics to collect data and specimen. They took the data collected to the laboratory where they were properly analyzed before a report was produced. Other researchers interviewed with the clinicians who provided them with the information on the HPV infections. The method used help them get the first-hand knowledge that was not distorted hence quality analysis. 

Research on the Causes and Transmission of Cervical Cancer 

Also, Thuler, de Aguiar & Bergmann, (2014) , explained that the cervical cancer virus could be caused by both anal and vaginal sexual intercourse, which is the most common method for its transmission ( Thuler, de Aguiar & Bergmann, 2014 ). The sexual intercourse must happen with a person who is already infected. Oral sex can also transmit the virus though it is less common. The risk part if the Human Papilloma Virus is that even rubbing is enough to spread the virus. Many people are not aware of rubbing as a means of transmitting the Human Papilloma Virus. There are different varieties of cervical cancer up to 150 ( Santesso et al., 2016). Not all viruses are common, but only some. Some people do not display the symptoms immediately. Such people are dangerous as they can spread the virus quickly without even noticing it themselves. 

Risk Factors of Cervical Cancer 

In the research conducted by De Vries , et al. (2015), they found out that there are a different risk factor that comes along with the infection process and the curing process. Some of the health risk factors include engaging in unprotected sex with infected persons, having a sexual relationship with more than one partner whom you do not know their Human Papilloma Virus status, and being transgender. Homosexuality is also a risk factor, as one of the partners might infect the other partner with the cancer virus. People who are already infected with Human immunodeficiency virus are at a higher risk. Their immune system has been weakened with HIV. When the Human Papilloma Virus attacks their cells, they cannot fight back quickly. 

The strain risks include both low and high risk. The researchers Murillo, Herrero, Sierra & Forman, (2016) , established that Human Papilloma Virus strains could cause genital warts. The strains cause throat, anal, cervical, and penile cancer. The two strains include first Low-risk strains, which can cause the genitals warts but are considered harmless. The low-risk strain includes 12 different types of Human Papilloma Virus, including HPV 6 (UNAIDS, 2014). They cause up to 89% of genital warts. Such warts can rarely advance to the cancer stage. The other strain is the high-risk strains. These are critical states which can lead to cervical cancer. Depending on the dysplasia, the chances of getting infected are 99% (Bergmann et al., 2014). Variety of Human Papilloma Virus that is grouped as high-risk strain includes HPV 18 and HPV 16, which are more common. The report showed that HPV infection originated from part of Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Sub-Saharan area in Africa. 

Socioeconomic Factors 

The results indicated that the poverty level is a determinant of the infection as well as the mortality rate of those who are infected with cervical cancer. The developed countries report a few cases of mortality rate compared to the developing countries. Apart from Venezuela, the countries that are ranked top 10 with the highest mortality rate are considered to live below the average standard. Cuba and Colombia take a good percentage (Siahpush et al., 2012). The health service is the most influential. In these developing countries, they have not come up with the right measures to handle the virus. Proper medication has not been provided to the citizen. Finally, the hygiene is not well maintained in these areas. 

Strengths of the Literature 

The literature covered most areas in cervical cancer from its infection to the risk factors. People should avoid causes through prevention. Strength is that they used the medical center to analyze the research for quality. The literature also used other literature to support their documentation. 

Weaknesses 

The questioning of the clinicians could not have provided them with the correct information as some people cannot express themselves well. The researchers could go for the record the health centers had kept and taken the data from there. Some of the books and journals they used to support their work are outdated. Time has changed, and the virus has taken a different dimension. In the United States, there is the Preventative Services Task Force (USPST) that encourages women from the age of 21 to go for the Pap test. 

Prevention 

Several preventive measures can be put in place to reduce the risk of getting infected with the Human Papilloma Virus. According to Santesso et al., (2016), earlier diagnosis will help to identify if they are traces of the infection for early treatment. For those who are sexually active, need to book an appointment with their doctors for the Human Papilloma Virus test. When the abnormal cells are detected, they can be treated before cancer starts to develop. Human papillomavirus vaccine has been developed by the scientists that can prevent the virus from affection the women. Some lifestyles are related to the disease. Such a lifestyle can be avoided for the prevention of cervical cancer. 

Challenges 

There are several challenges making the Human Papilloma Virus hard to aggravate it infection affecting the women’s reproductive health increasing it prevalence among these populace. Some of these challenges include lifestyle. The current lifestyle that some of the women lives, increase the infection rate. Food products that are genetically modified increase the rate of infection. Another challenge is that there are few screening cervical cancer centers. Women are only able to get access to such centers every three months. 

Conclusion 

The earlier research that was done one cervical cancer has made me understand that the Human Papilloma Virus is an infection which can be prevented if much caution is taken. First, hygiene is very crucial to ensure that people avoid such infections. When proper medication is taken from an early stage, it can be cured easily. Finally, cervical cancer is a disease which can infect people by not just engaging in sexual intercourse but also rubbing. Lack of enough education on the virus is some area is another challenge. People should be aware of the disease, how they can be prevented, and how to identify cancer before it becomes chronic. 

References

Murillo R, Herrero R, Sierra MS, Forman D (2016). Etiology of cervical cancer (C53) in Central and South America. In: Cancer in Central and South America. Lyon: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Retrieved on July 28, 2019, from http://www-dep.iarc.fr/CSU_resources.htm

de Vries E, Arroyave I, Pardo C, Wiesner C, Murillo R, Forman D, et al. (2015). Trends in inequalities in premature cancer mortality by educational level in Colombia, 1998–2007. J Epidemiol Community Health. 69(5):408–15. Retrieved on July 28, 2019, from http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jech-2014-204650 

Li N, Franceschi S, Howell-Jones R, Snijders PJ, Clifford GM (2017). Human papillomavirus type distribution in 30,848 invasive cervical cancers worldwide: variation by geographical region, histological type, and year of publication. Int J Cancer. 128(4):927–35. Retrieved on July 28, 2019, from http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ijc.25396 PMID:20473886 

Singh GK, Azuine RE, Siahpush M (2012). Global inequalities in cervical cancer incidence and mortality are linked to deprivation, low socioeconomic status, and human development. Int J MCH AIDS. 1(1):17–30. Available Retrieved on July 28, 2019, from http://mchandaids.org/index.php/IJMA/article/view/12/10 

Thuler LC, de Aguiar SS, Bergmann A (2014). [Determinants of late stage diagnosis of cervical cancer in Brazil]. Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 36(6):237–43. Retrieved on July 28, 2019, from http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0100- 720320140005010 PMID:25099462 

UNAIDS (2014). UNAIDS Data. Geneva, Switzerland: Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS. Available Retrieved on July 28, 2019, from http://www.unaids.org/en/dataanalysis 

Santesso, N., Mustafa, R. A., Schünemann, H. J., Arbyn, M., Blumenthal, P. D., Cain, J., ... & Forhan, S. E. (2016). World Health Organization Guidelines for treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2–3 and screen ‐ and ‐ treat strategies to prevent cervical cancer.  International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics ,  132 (3), 252-258.