HPV Links To Cervical Cancer

Cervical Cancer Cells (HPV is linked to Cervical Cancer)

It is true that cervical cancer is highly linked to human papillomavirus infection. In fact, HPV is one of the highest risk factors in the development of cervical cancer. This article discusses HPV cervical cancer and the connection between the two diseases.

There are close to 30 types of HPV that pose a risk for cancer. Studies have shown that HPV types 16 and 18 account for more than half of all cancer cases. When HPV is present in the human body, it may naturally go away after some time. Unfortunately, HPV can progress further into causing more serious health conditions or diseases such as cervical cancer. In fact, some strains of HPV are known to be necessary factors in the development of cervical cancer—100 percent of all cervical cancers are caused by HPV!

Millions of Americans have the possibility of having HPV and 75 percent of American women are unaware of HPV. The onset of genital warts, which is one of the more common symptoms of HPV, develops in only around 1 percent of infected adults who are sexually active. When symptoms are present, they are either obvious or very minute that they are undetected. These are just a few of the reasons why so many infected people do not get treatment right away for HPV cervical cancer and other related conditions.

The symptoms of cervical cancer are very similar to the symptoms of other health conditions. For instance, symptoms of cervical cancer can be confused for the common symptoms of PMS in women. What’s worse is, cervical cancer can show no symptoms at all. When symptoms do become obvious, the cancer is already in its advanced stages, and the appearance of symptoms also differ a lot among women. The typical symptoms of cervical cancer include unusual heavy discharge, vaginal bleeding, pain during urination, pelvic pain, and abnormal bleeding, which may occur after sexual intercourse, after a pelvic exam, after douching, and in between regular menstrual periods.

When cervical cancer is detected early on, treating precancers can halt the progression of the disease. Precancerous cells can also be prevented. Prevention often involves avoiding risk factors, and treatment involves the use of vaccines among other kinds of treatment.

Preventive measures can be taken by delaying sexual intercourse, staying in a monogamous relationship, limiting the number of sexual partners, and avoiding having sexual intercourse with partners who have been with many other sexual partners. HPV can be easily passed on from one person to the next, as many do not experience its symptoms.

Condoms can also prevent the transmission of HPV, but only to some degree. You can have better protection only if condoms are always used in a consistent manner. Furthermore, condoms may become useless in protecting against HPV as the infection can spread through contact with infected skin.

Treatment for cervical cancer includes vaccines and mainly detecting precancerous changes. Helpful tests and other forms of treatment include Pap tests, HPV DNA tests, colposcoy and biopsy, endocervical scraping.

HPV Cervical cancer and other related conditions might display obvious symptoms or none at all. A patient with cervical cancer may not have any symptoms at all until the cancer is in its advanced stages. Therefore early detection and prevention is the key to fighting against precancers caused by HPV.