Causes of Cervical Cancer

Most of the people are unaware of the underlying causes of cervical cancer.

The most common type of cancer which affects the female reproductive organs is the cervical cancer.

The malignant or the cancerous cells are formed as a result of abnormal and rapid growth and multiplication of cells in the cervix. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina.

The causes of cervical cancer are explained by the various strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV) which is a sexually transmitted infection. Though exposed to HPV, a woman’s immune system typically prevents the virus from doing harm, but unfortunately in some women the virus survives for years before it eventually converts some cells on the surface of the cervix into cancer cells thus leading to the development of the disease.

There are two main types of cervical cancer: squamous cell (epidermoid) and adenocarcinoma cervical cancer. The most common type is the former one. Almost 75% of all cervical cancer cases are of this type. Half of the cases occur in women between ages 35 and 55.

Common Causes of Cervical Cancer

Causes of Cervical cancer may be different from other types of cancers. As evident the disease is caused by the abnormal cells growth and multiplication on the cervix transformation zone.

These cells normally undergo changes which may sometimes not be the natural way, instead they become abnormal. This happens especially when one is infected by the virus HPV. As discussed earlier the major risk factor for developing the disease.

Also some other factors are also said to play a role and as causes of cervical cancer may include:

  • Women who smoke or who were smoking earlier are at high risk
  • Weakened immune system which may be due to having human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may be prone to develop the disease
  • Over usage of birth control pills say more than 5 years.
  • As known infection with HPV is the major risk factor and a definite cause of cervical cancer

Cervical Cancer Diagnosis

The good thing about this disease is that when detected at early stage the disease is highly curable. The early detection of cervical cancer can be well done by a pap test.

The Pap test is considered to be the ultimate toll to detect the cervical cancer provided this test is performed regularly. This test helps to detect any unusual changes in the cells of the cervix.

Even small changes in the cells behavior and pattern can be pretty well detected by the test which helps to find when the cells are turning cancerous for early effective cervical cancer treatment and cure.

On the whole, it better to know the various causes of cervical cancer and avoid them. The early detection or diagnosis of the cervical cancer may help the patient to a large extent to cure well from the disease.

This is very much possible by Regular Pap test screening. It is more convenient to treat the disease if the exact cause of cervical cancer is detected.