Cancer of Cervix: Causes, Symptoms, Prevention, Treatment Options
– Cervical cancer is the growth of abnormal cells in the lining of the cervix.
– Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common type of cervical cancer, accounting for 70% of cases. Adenocarcinoma is less common, accounting for about 25% of cases.
– In 2023, over 900 people were diagnosed with cervical cancer, with an average age of 50 years old.
– The incidence of cervical cancer has decreased since the introduction of the National Cervical Screening Program in 1991 and a national HPV vaccine program in 2007.
– Signs of cervical cancer include vaginal bleeding between periods, longer or heavier menstrual bleeding, pain during intercourse, bleeding after intercourse, pelvic pain, changes in vaginal discharge, and vaginal bleeding after menopause.
– Persistent infection with high-risk types of HPV is the cause of almost all cases of cervical cancer.
– Other risk factors include smoking and long-term use of the contraceptive pill.
– Diagnosis involves a colposcopy with biopsy, which allows doctors to locate and examine abnormal cells in the cervix.
– Treatment options depend on the stage of the disease, ranging from surgery to chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
– The Pap smear test has been replaced by the new Cervical Screening Test.
– The rate of cervical cancer in Australia has halved since the introduction of the National Cervical Screening Program.
– The HPV vaccine has been introduced as part of the National Cervical Screening Program and is offered to Australian children aged 12 to 13 for free.
– Australia aims to be the first country to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health issue.
– Gardasil 9 is the vaccine offered in Australia, protecting against nine types of HPV that cause around 90% of cervical cancers.
– Having the HPV vaccine does not replace the need for regular Cervical Cancer Screening Tests.
– Cervical cancer can be effectively treated if detected early, but treatment may impact fertility.