Aims of the Cervical Cancer Vaccine

Cervix is the neck of the uterus. It is the bottom, slim part of the uterus which is connected to the topmost part of the vagina. Cervical cancer is believed to be due to the infection caused by HPV (Human Papillomavirus). The malignant symptoms of this cancer include bleeding of the vagina, contact bleeding and vaginal mass. Other symptoms include moderate pain during sexual intercourse and vaginal discharge. In the advanced stages of this disease, a person experiences loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue, pelvic pain, back pain, leg pain, single swollen leg, heavy vaginal bleeding, bone fractures and leaking of urine or feces from the vagina.

Because of the growing cases of cervical cancer each year, a cervical cancer vaccine was made available. It was aimed to provide protection from HPV which is believed to be the root cause of most cervical cancer. Gardasil is the first cervical cancer vaccine approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Its effectiveness is said to be up to 98%. Cervarix is the other cervical cancer vaccine which is already in use in some countries. But in other countries, it is still waiting for approval before its full campaign. Gardasil vaccine protects against HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18. Cervarix is said to be 92% effective against HPV 16 and 18. HPV types 6 and 11 are considered as the cause for 90% reason for all genital warts issues. HPV 16 and 18, on the other hand, are considered as the cause for 70% of all cervical cancer issues. The vaccine aims to particularly block the causes of the cancer (such as the HPV) to even get to the core.

Out of the 11,000 American women established to have cervical cancer yearly, close to 4,000 of them die because of the said disease. Is the fifth most common cancer that causes death amongst women. At present, Gardasil and Cervarix are highly recommend to women from ages nine to twenty five years old who never experienced HPV yet. But another study shows that this HPV vaccine can also be effective for women from ages forty-five and above.

Gardasil vaccination among men reduces their risk of getting genital warts and precancerous lesions because of the HPV. This vaccine is particularly popular among gay men. Aside from getting genital warts, they are the ones more likely to have penile and anal cancers as well.

At present, Gardasil is not recommended to pregnant women since its long term fertility effect is not yet known.

Until today, vaccines are reported to be safe. In the United States, more than sixteen million doses of the vaccine were dispensed already. Amongst the most common side-effects are soreness where the injection was done, slight fever, dizziness and fainting. However, all these are only considered common mild effects. There were also reports of some serious side-effects such as brain swelling, severe allergic response, paralysis, weakness and death; however, these were not linked to the vaccine itself. Still, the FDA continues to monitor on this.

The Stages Of Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is a slow-growing and malignant cancer. The cancer cells are formed in the cells on the surface of the cervix, which is located in the pelvic area. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus, and is the tubular muscle which connects the uterus to the birth canal.

Cervical cancer is mainly caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is spread by sexual contact. This virus does not always cause cancer, but it is the cause in most cases. Whether or not this virus will lead to cancer depends on the lifestyle and immune system of that individual. Those with a strong immune system can normally fight the virus.

There are basically two main types of cancerous cells in cervical cancer. The Squamous cell carcinomas and the Adenocarcinomas. 80 to 90 percent of all cervical cancers are squamous cell carcinomas. These begin in the thin cells which line the bottom of the cervix. 10 to 20 percent are Adenocarcinomas, and they begin in the glandular cells which line the upper part of the cervix.

What are the stages of cervical cancer?

Basically there are 5 stages of this cancer, and they usually are numbered 0-4. If the cancer is not stopped in time it will spread to the uterus, bladder, abdomen, lungs and other organs. Once it spreads to the organs, there is little or no hope of survival.

Stage 0.) At this stage the cancer cells exist only on the surface of the cervix, and have not begun to spread into the deeper tissues.

Stage 1.) The cancer still remains in the cervix, but the cells have begun to spread into the deeper tissues.

Stage 2.) The cancer has begun to spread to the surrounding tissues of the cervix, and possibly the upper part of the vagina.

Stage 3.) The cancer is starting to spread outside of the cervix. It either spreads down and into the vagina, and into the muscles that line the lower pelvic wall. Or it spreads up towards the

bladder where it can block the flow of urine coming from the kidneys and draining into the bladder.

Stage 4.) The cancer is spreading to the rest of the body, the uterus, and vital organs.

Symptoms of cervical cancer may not appear until the later stages of the cancer, but abnormal or pre-cancerous cells can be detected with a pap smear before the cancer occurs. The sooner the cancer is detected, the greater chance of surviving it.

About Detection Tool: Cervical Cancer Detection Tool

Cancer is the most deadly disease until today. The reason is because the patients do not aware if they have cancer in their body. In Fact, cancer can be detected earlier. On of the most deadly cancer for women is cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer attacks women in their reproductive area. From year to year cancer's patients are increased. In 2002, around four hundred thousand women suffer from this disease. Every day around 40 people are cancer suffered including women with their cervical cancer.

It would be better for the women to check their reproduction organ's health regularly. It should be done by all women whether they have done their first sexual intercourse, married even for a single woman. It is important since women are not aware that they have suffered this disease. The purpose is to prevent and detect the cancer's cell. The earlier the cancer is detected the bigger the chance to cure it. All oncologists stated that cervical cancer is the most treatable diseases so it will be better if the disease is detected earlier. By checking your organ to the doctor regularly, you have prevented your self from cervical cancer.

Detecting the presence of cancer cells in the body is recommended by every doctor. Early stage of this cancer can be detected by Pap smear test. This method is used to detect the earlier stage of the cancer or the change of the cervix. This tool is found by Papa George Nicolaou in 1924s. Then, it broadly used in 1949.

The patients will be checked in lithotomic position. The doctor will take a sample of the cervix using aylesbury spatula. This method is very affordable for all women. Even though you have done the test but it would be better if you check it regularly. This article describes Pap smear as detection tool and method for cervical cancer.

Cervical Cancer - 3 Ways Detect it Early

In the previous years, women aged 60 and above were the ones most prone to cervical cancer. But with the 2009 report, an alarming 58% of these cases were women within the age range of 40 and 50 years old only. With such stats, it is therefore important to know the signs of cervical carcinoma so that its symptoms can be contained. Advanced cases of this type of medical condition can become invasive, which means that there is a very good chance that the cancer cells will afflict surround tissues and muscles as well.

So what are the most common signs of cervical cancer?

1. Abnormal vaginal bleeding. Abnormal bleeding or signs of unusual blood spotting is one of the more common signs of the pre-cancer stages of the cervix. It may come in various forms like: blood spotting between menstrual periods, bouts of heavy and light menstruation, vaginal bleeding after sex, blood spotting after the menopausal stage and even vaginal bleeding after douching. In some cases, the woman may experience unusual discharge between menstruation's.

2. Pain during sexual intercourse. Vaginal bleeding is often preceded by pain during sexual intercourse. This may be due to the increased sensitivity or inflammation of the tissues and muscles of the cervix. In advanced stages, pain in this area is an indication that the cancer cells have already spread out to the surrounding areas.

3. Pain during normal bodily functions. Two other signs of cervical cancer include pain during peeing and bowel movement. Pain brought about by UTI or urinary tract infection is another indication that the muscles of the reproductive system is on a hyper sensitive stage.

Cervical Cancer Vaccination

Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is a malignant growth of the cervix uteri or surrounding cervical area. Symptoms are often not visible until the cancer is very advanced although some cases will present with vaginal bleeding or an odorous vaginal discharge. Due to the lack of clear symptoms women aged between 25 and 49 are invited for a smear test every 3 years.

Diagnosis

The smear test involves taking a sample of cervical cells which are then tested for abnormalities. If abnormalities are found this is not necessarily indicative of cancer. If an abnormal smear is taken, the person will then visit a gynecologist for a colposcopy which involves an internal vaginal examination. This can sometimes involve a biopsy which is where a sample of tissue is removed to examine under a microscope.

HPV

Cancer involves a change in the DNA so that cell replication and growth becomes unregulated. Causes of this are widespread and include Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), smoking, numbers of children and more. HPV is the biggest cause of cervical cancer with over 99% of cases being associated with an infection. HPV can lie dormant in mucous membranes of the body and eventually leads to cervical intraepithelial neoplasia which is the stage before cancer. HPV does not always cause cancer but it is a significant risk factor. HPV is spread through sexual intercourse and so women with multiple partners are most at risk.

HPV Vaccine

Since September 2008 there has been a recent move to vaccinate girls aged 12-13 against two of the strains of HPV which are those thought to be involved in causing cancer. It involves three injections over a 6 month period given routinely in schools.

There has been some controversy over the new program. As with any vaccination there are also some possible side effects. Most of these are very mild and might include some mild flu like symptoms or swelling. However, there is also a very small chance that the vaccination could incur a more severe allergic reaction leading to anaphylactic shock. Particular to this vaccine there has been some worry that by giving a vaccine against a virus that is sexually transmitted it could encourage sexual promiscuity or apathy against sexually transmitted diseases. Some argue that the cost of the vaccination programme is not justifiable when infection could be prevented by safe sex practices.

A girl recently died suddenly after receiving the vaccination in a school in Coventry. As of yet there has been no confirmed link between the vaccine and her death but vaccination programs have been terminated until a result can be determined. Since the start of the programme 1.8 million girls have been given the vaccine and no other deaths have been reported. Other girls given the vaccine in the same school also reported side effects but none needed admitting to hospital. This has newly awakened the debate over the vaccine and whether it should really be given at all.

Alternative Cervical Cancer Treatment - 2 Natural Therapies

Cervix is a female organ than connects uterus and vagina. The cancerous growth that happens on the tissues of cervix is termed as cervical cancer. This disease happens in women. Cervical cancer is a slow growing one and hardly could it be detected till it reaches an advanced stage. There are many alternative cervical cancer treatments available these days, apart from traditional treatments like surgery.

Cervical cancer can be detected in early stages with the help of Pap smear screening. Apart from Pap smear screening, biopsy of the cervix is also an effective procedure to detect this disease. Biopsy of the cervix is performed using colposcopy, a cervix visual inspection procedure. An early stage this disease is treated by surgery while an advanced stage of this disorder is treated by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Apart from these traditional methods of treating, nowadays there are many alternative treatments available.

Bio-photonic light therapy: The word photon means light. In this therapy, the human body cells that have been drained by the disease are recharged by exposing them to light rays. Exposure of the body cells to natural light rays provides and complements for all the loss of body energy and strengthens the immune system too. This in turn helps in fighting the cancer cells.

Acupuncture: Acupuncture a traditional Chinese method of treating for various diseases including cervical cancer. These days even the western world has accepted these practices as an effective one after researches. Acupuncture includes removal of toxic substances from the blood, increasing blood flow, fighting the undesired accumulation of unwanted tissues that lead to tumor and cancer later on. Researches have proved that acupuncture increases body immunity system.

Three Important Things to Know About Cervical Cancer

As you may be aware, the links between HPV and cervical cancer were actually hypothesized decades ago. At that time, women had very few choices with this virus when it came to avoiding infection. Fortunately, modern women can easily take advantage of immunizations, as well as early detection methods for cervical cancer. This is especially important to consider for girls who have not yet become sexually active, as well as older women who want to avoid cervical cancer.

Avoiding and Preventing HPV

Even though you may want your children to grow up and raise families of their own, it will always be a struggle to come to terms with accepting this stage of development. On the other hand, a number of people start out in life without considering the fact that they may wind up in a relationship where one, or both, partners have past sexual experiences with other people. Under these circumstances, it becomes virtually impossible to prevent the spread of HPV from one person to another. While you may not like the moral implications of these issues, you still need to consider the long term health consequences. At the very least, if you have daughters in their teen years, you should seriously consider letting them decide whether, or not, they want the HPV vaccine.

Contraceptives, Early Detection, and Cervical Cancer

Many women who use birth control pills end up thinking that their partners no longer needs to use a condom. No matter how much you may want to trust your partner, this can easily leave you vulnerable to HPV; right along with any other STD's that your partner may pick up from someone else. In a similar way, if you use a diaphragm, IUD, or other birth control methods that do not prevent the flow of bodily fluids, you will always be at risk from HPV. Needless to say, the situation becomes even more complicated if you decide to have children with your partner.

If you find yourself in a situation where condom usage is not possible, you should always ensure that you stay up- to- date on pap smears and other forms of cervical cancer testing. It is also very important to stay informed about newer testing methods, as well as the signs and symptoms of cervical cancer. As may be expected, if you have genital warts, you may want to have pap smears done more often.

Cervical Cancer Treatments

As with many other cancers, prevention, early detection, and viable treatment methods can easily cause a significant reduction in suffering and death. These are just one of many reasons why it is so important to consider all of your options, before you agree to a specific treatment method. For example, you should always keep abreast of newer drugs that are being released on an experimental basis, as well as therapies that include diet modification and other lifestyle changes.

If you are afraid of a cancer diagnosis, it is important to talk to people who have it, and are undergoing treatment. Many will tell you that cancer does not change their lives for the worse. You will find many brave people who open themselves to life and experience things that they never thought they would. In many cases, they find a level of personal satisfaction that they never had before. Contrary to popular belief, life does not end when you are diagnosed with cancer. For some, it is when their life truly begins.