Cancer, also known as malignancy is a disease where the cells in the body grow abnormally. Cancerous tumors have the potential to invade healthy cells and spread to other parts of the body by continuing to grow. The disease is always named for the part where it starts in the body.
What is cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that arises in the cervix. It is the lowest part of the uterus that is connected to the vagina. Every woman is at risk of cervical cancer in their life. Figures suggest that every year, about 13,000 are diagnosed with cervical cancer. Out of it, 4000 are losing their life.
Cervical cancer mostly arises in the zone of the cervix termed as the transformation zone. Later on, it can spread to other parts like lungs, liver and lymph nodes. Cervical cancer can affect female reproductive organs like ovaries and fallopian tubes which can ultimately lead to infertility in some.
How Cervical Cancer affects Fertility?
The most common question asked by cervical cancer patients is whether it affects their fertility or not. Fertility issues in females depend on many things including the stage of cancer and the treatment recommended to them.
Treatments and medication for advanced cervical cancer can affect the fertility and hinder the patient’s ability to carry the baby. For example, treatments like radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgery can affect uterus, ovaries which in turn can lead to infertility. However, that does not imply you can never get pregnant. For that, you need to consult the best fertility expert who deals with such cases as in Oncofertility.
Options like oocyte cryopreservation or embryo freezing can be offered depending on individual case and type of cancer. Also, treatments like fertility-sparing surgeries such as conization and simple or radical trachelectomy can be considered which carry about 70% chances of pregnancy.
Trachelectomy is the treatment suggested for those who are in the early stages of cervical cancer. These surgical treatments do carry the risk of miscarriage or premature birth. Thus, it is important to discuss these treatment options and fertility concerns with a fertility specialist before starting the treatment.
The most important step one can do is to undergo a preventive test which helps to detect cancer at very early stages when cancer is less aggressive and treatment is much milder. Early detection and treatment also help to restore fertility issues. Discussing fertility issues prior to cancer treatment offers you better possibilities and opportunities.
Early stages of cervical cancer
The early stages of cervical cancer generally are not associated with any symptoms but can be picked up by preventive tests like Pap smear. It is better if cancer is detected in its early stages when it is treatable. Statistics show that over a five-year period, the woman who is affected by cervical cancer and received early detection have a 92% survival rate.
Symptoms of much advanced cervical cancer include:
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding between menstrual cycles, after intercourse, post-menopause, etc. Abnormal vaginal secretion with a strong odor and blood is also considered as a sign of cervix cancer.
- Pelvic pain
- Severe pain during or after sexual intercourse
It is possible to have these symptoms for other causes including infection. However, anyone experiencing these symptoms is advised to consult a doctor and complete a gynecological exam.
