HPV AND CERVICAL CANCER

What Is HPV?
Almost all cervical cancer cases are caused by infection with oncogenic, or high risk, types of Human Papillomavirus (HPV). With just these two high-risk HPV types, 16 and 18, is responsible for about 70% of all cervical cancer. These sexually transmitted viruses can also cause anal cancers; vaginal, vulvar, and penile cancers; and some oropharyngeal cancers.

What is cervical cancer?
Begins in cells on the surface of the cervix. It occurs when abnormal cells in the cervix turn into cancer cells. Over time, the cervical cancer can invade more deeply into the cervix and nearby tissues. It takes up to 10 – 20 years for the abnormal cell changes to develop into cervical cancer.



What are the symptoms of cervical cancer?
 Early stage of cervical cancer usually do not have any symptoms. When the cancer grows larger, women may notice abnormal vaginal bleeding:- Bleeding that occurs between regular menstrual periods - Bleeding after sexual intercourse, douching, or a pelvic exam - Menstrual periods that last longer and are heavier than before - Bleeding after going through menopause Women may also notice: - Increased vaginal discharge - Pelvic pain - Pain during sex Can cervical cancer be prevented? Cervical cancer is the easiest cancer to prevent, with early screenings and regular follow-up. Two simple screening tests can help prevent the cancer or find it early: Pap test (or Pap smear) screens for precancers or cell changes on the cervix that might become cancer if they are not treated appropriately. In many developed countries, the Liquid-based Pap test has largely replaced the conventional Pap test. Both tests have similar ability to detect the cell abnormalities but the Liquid-based Pap test has been reportedly to have higher sensitivity rate, hence, lowering the chances of false-negative Pap results. HPV test detects for the presence of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) that can cause these cell changes, which is also the main cause of cervical cancer. The HPV test can detect HPV infections even before the cell abnormalities are evident.

Cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia (CIN) is a term used to describe changes in the squamous cells of the cervix.

CIN is not cancer, but treatment may be needed to prevent squamous cell cervical cancer developing. You may hear some doctors use the term pre-cancerous condition to describe CIN.

Treatment isn't always needed for CIN, but if you do need treatment it's usually very successful.

Causes of CIN

Not all the causes of CIN are known. But they include:

Smoking

Women who smoke are almost twice as likely to develop CIN as non-smokers.

Human papilloma virus (HPV)

The main cause of CIN is infection of the cervix with certain types of human papilloma virus (HPV). There are over 100 types of the virus, and the most common types can cause warts on the hands or verrucas on the feet. Some types can affect the genital area including the cervix, although not all of these will show any symptoms such as warts. The types of HPV that cause genital warts are not the same as the types that can lead to CIN. The types that cause genital warts are known as low-risk HPV types. needed for CIN, but if you do need treatment it's usually very successful.