Why would someone get cervical cancer?

Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
Updated on September 30, 2024
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Why does cervical cancer occur? There are several reasons for cervical cancer: The first is infection with the human papillomavirus, also known as HPV infection, which is the fundamental cause of precancerous lesions and cervical cancer. Secondly, there are other factors; in a few cases, HPV DNA is not detected in the tumor tissue, especially among elderly patients, and it is related to early childbirth and multiple pregnancies. The third point is that cervical cancer incidence is associated with high-risk males, including those who have had penile cancer, prostate cancer, or are high-risk individuals for cervical cancer. Women who are in contact with these high-risk men are more likely to develop cervical cancer. Lastly, irregular diet and lifestyle, along with smoking and drinking, can suppress the body's immune function, potentially promoting cancer.

Other Voices

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Written by Li Shun Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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How to get the cervical cancer vaccine?

The cervical cancer vaccine is administered in the same way as regular vaccines, which is an injection in the deltoid muscle. However, the scheduling of the subsequent doses of the cervical cancer vaccine differs. For the bivalent cervical cancer vaccine, the second dose is administered one month after the first dose, and the third dose at six months. For the quadrivalent and nonavalent vaccines, the second dose is administered two months after the first, with the third dose given at six months.

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Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
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Causes of Cervical Cancer

The causes of cervical cancer include: The first point is infection by the human papillomavirus (HPV), particularly persistent infection with high-risk types, which is the basic cause of precancerous lesions and cervical cancer. The second point is that DNA from HPV is not detected in the tumor tissues of a minority of cases, especially among some older patients. Epidemiology shows that early childbirth and multiparity are closely related to the occurrence of cervical cancer. With an increasing number of childbirths, the risk of cervical cancer also increases. This correlation might be due to the trauma to the cervix during childbirth and changes to the endocrine and nutritional states during pregnancy.

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Written by Xu Xiao Ming
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Early symptoms of cervical cancer

The most common early symptom of cervical cancer may be contact bleeding, including vaginal bleeding after intercourse. However, not many patients exhibit these symptoms. Many patients do not show any symptoms, but there are some pathological changes on the cervix. Therefore, it is recommended that women who are sexually active should undergo regular early screening for cervical cancer, including HPV, TCT, and colposcopy examinations. Regular checks can determine whether there are indeed pathological changes on the cervix. This is also a preventive measure for women, and the screening is highly efficient at detecting early pathological changes in the cervix.

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Written by Xu Xiao Ming
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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How long does it take for cervical cancer to develop?

The causes of cervical cancer are now clear; it is caused by an infection with the HPV virus. Generally, this virus needs to be carried for more than two to three years before it can infect and develop into cervical cancer. There is a process of carcinogenesis where normal epithelial tissue transforms into cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. If the HPV infection is not treated and continues, it could lead to cervical cancer. Thus, the development process is relatively long, typically requiring two to three years. It is recommended that sexually active women undergo cervical cancer screening to check for any pathological changes in the cervix, including HPV, TCT, and colposcopy examinations.

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Written by Xu Xiao Ming
Obstetrics and Gynecology
44sec home-news-image

Is cervical hypertrophy cervical cancer?

Cervical hypertrophy is not cervical cancer. Cervical hypertrophy is merely a change in the shape and size of the cervix, which becomes larger than normal, and its shape might be somewhat larger than a normal cervix. It is just a morphological change. Cervical cancer, on the other hand, is caused by an HPV virus infection. It is a type of tumor and is different from mere enlargement; one is cancer, and the other is just an increase in size. Therefore, it is recommended that patients who experience irregular vaginal bleeding after intercourse, as well as those who have irregular bleeding normally, should undergo screening for cervical cancer, including tests for HPV and TCT.