Cervical Dysplasia And Cervical Cancer
22
Outside of breast cancer, there is also cervical cancer, which can affect the sexual health of women. Cervical dysplasia, a condition of the cervical epithelium—although it's not cancer, it is considered a precancerous condition. Almost all cases of cervical dysplasia or cervical cancer are caused by the human papillomavirus, or HPV, a common virus that is spread through sexual contact. However, the risk of cancer is lower for mild dysplasia. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment cures nearly all cases of cervical dysplasia. The more advanced and dangerous malignancy is invasive cancer of the cervix, also called cervical cancer. The most important risk factor for cervical cancer is infection by the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV), although most women with HPV do not get cervical cancer as the infection usually goes away without any treatment. When detected and treated in its earliest stages, the disease is both prevented from spreading to other organs and cured. Unusual discharge, bleeding, spotting, or pain or bleeding during sex may be signs of cervical cancer. The most reliable means of early detection of cervical cancer is the Pap test or the Pap smear. The Pap test is usually done during a pelvic exam and takes about one minute. Cell samples and mucus are lightly scraped from the cervix and examined under a microscope. If anything unusual is found, the physician will do further tests. Women should have a Pap test annually unless their physician recommends otherwise. Depending on the extent and severity of the dysplasia and whether it has progressed to cancer, other treatment options range from electrocauterization, to laser surgery, radiotherapy, or a hysterectomy.