What you need to know about Cervical Cancer

Understanding Cervical Cancer with Dr Ntomboxolo Mboyi

Dr Ntomboxolo Mboyi has a BSc (UKZN), MBCHB (Medunsa), Fc Rad Onc (SA), and is a Postgraduate in Cancer Biology and Therapeutics: High Impact Cancer Research Program (Harvard Medical School). She is likewise an individual from the South African Oncology Consortium (SAOC), South African Society of Clinical and Radiation oncology (SASCRO), American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), and American Brachytherapy Society (ABS) and a Chairperson of the leading body of CanSurvive (non-benefit association offering support to patients).

What is Cervical Cancer?

Cervical Cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the cells of the cervix, the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. Various strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection, cause most cervical cancer.

What role does HPV play in Cervical cancer?

When exposed to HPV, the body’s immune system typically prevents the virus from doing harm. In a small percentage of people, however, the virus survives for years, contributing to the process that causes some cervical cells to become cancer cells. It is central to the development of cervical neoplasia due to the persistence of viral infection and can be detected in 99% of cervical cancer cases. Subtypes HPV 16 and 18 are found in over 70% of cases.

More about the HPV vaccinations.

Vaccination targets subtype 16 and 18 mostly. It should be administered to girls at 11 to 12 years of age, but can even be started at 9 years. There are also catch up vaccinations for those aged between 13 and 26. The optimal time is before an individual’s sexual debut. For those above 26 years, they are only given, if they have a likelihood of prior HPV exposure.

What screening is done as a preventative measure?

• Pap smear every 3 years (low risk)
• HPV testing every 5 years in low-risk individuals
• For high-risk individuals, i.e immunocompromised screening is yearly

What signs and symptoms should women lookout for?

• Irregular or heavy vaginal bleeding
• Post-coital bleeding
• Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
• Lower abdominal pain

Are there ways to prevent this cancer?

• You cannot prevent it, but screening and vaccination have resulted in a huge downward trend in the incidence and mortality rates
• What kind of treatment is available to women when a diagnosis is made?
• Treatment depends on the stage of disease with surgery being the mainstay of treatment for early-stage then radiation therapy and chemotherapy for locally advanced to metastatic disease.
• Targeted therapy focuses on specific weaknesses present within cancer cells.
• Immunotherapy

How should women manage their health when a diagnosis is made?

• Practice safe sex
• Get treated
• Regular follow-ups