The purpose of this research paper is to examine the details of cervical cancer pertaining to the most prevalent types of cervical cancer, the progression of the disease, and treatment methods proven most effective through research studies. Cervical cancer is the mutation of a female’s cervical cells and is separated into four stages of progression (stages I through IV). The contraction of cervical cancer has been attributed to prior contraction of a strain of human papillomavirus, or HPV, primarily strains HPV-16 and HPV-18. The evolution of an HPV infection into cervical cancer can also be affected by a woman’s genetic predisposition; a research study done in the United Kingdom concluded that women whose mother or sister was diagnosed with cervical cancer experienced a doubled risk of developing the same disease. African American and Hispanic women in the United States have been found to develop cervical cancer more often than other races. No cure for cervical cancer has been discovered; however, it has been found that an effective prevention method for cervical cancer was vaccination of females (ages 9 to 26) with one of two vaccines, Gardasil and Cervarix, approved by the Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control.
Keywords: cervical cancer, human papillomavirus, HPV vaccine
Causes, Treatments, and Prevention Methods of Cervical Cancer
Cancer has been shown to be the number two killer of people in the United States; in 2012 it was responsible for the death of approximately 577,190 people (Cancer Facts and Figures). It is caused by a mutated gene in a cell that leads it to grow uncontrollably and can affect various types of cells, from brain cells to skin cells. Although cancer affects both men and women, o...
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...d into four stages, each with various sub-stages, such as stage I which has been separated into stage IA and IB, and furthermore into IA1, IA2 IB1 and IB2. While it has been noted as the second highest killer cancer among women, prevention options are available. One of such options proven effective includes the vaccination of women from ages 9 to 26 with the HPV vaccine in the form of Gardasil or Cervarix. For women who have already been diagnosed with cervical cancer, treatment options include a hysterectomy and/or radiation therapy depending on how far the cancer has advanced. Prevention from contracting a strain of human papillomavirus has been an important method in protection from the development of cervical cancer since the association between the two was discovered, and remains the most effective method of reducing the risk of developing cervical cancer.
The human papillomavirus (HPV) is currently the most widely spread sexually transmitted disease in the United States, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There are over one hundred different types of HPV known at this time, over forty of which can be sexually transmitted. Nearly all sexually active men and women are exposed at some point in their lives. Lifestyle choices such as risky sexual behavior, smoking and alcohol use increase one’s risk of contracting HPV. Additionally, infection with one type of HPV does not prevent infections with other types.
Mirkin, Gabe. "Eva Peron and Cervical Cancer." DrMirkin.com. The Lancet, 3 June 2000. Web. 10 Mar. 2012. .
This is brings up public health concern because HPV was usually widely known to infect mostly women and enforce to cause of cervical cancer. However, a head and neck cancer is also serious disease in worldwide by placing HNC as 5th most common cancer in 2008. Particularly, cohort studied from 1982 up to 2005 from Australia and Sweden showed HPV DNA positive incidence increased from about...
What is the human papillomavirus (HPV)? According to the US government’s National Cancer Institute, human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are a collection of more than one hundred viruses, many types having the ability to grow tumors or polyps that are malignant and others benign. Certain of the viruses are capable of forming genital warts. The HPVs that cause the common warts on hands and feet are different from those that cause growth in the throat or genital area (Human Papillomavirus). Professors Joe Cummins and Dr. Mae-Wan Ho inform us that some types are associated with cancer, and are called “high risk” HPVs. Of the more than one hundred types of HPVs, over thirty can be passed on through sexual contact. Most HPV infections occur without any symptoms and go away without treatment over the course of a few years. However, HPV infection sometimes persists for many years, with or without causing detectable cell abnormalities. Infection from “High risk” types of HPV is the main cause of cervical cancer. Pap smears have also led to earlier detection of these infections. Nearly all women who are sexually active will have HPV inf...
Cervical cancer is the second most common female cancer after breast cancer in the under 35 age group. ( Bedford 2009)
Adams, Heather P., and Erica L. Carnright. "HPV Infection And Cervical Cancer Prevention." Clinician Reviews 23.9 (2013): 42-50. Academic Search Complete. Web. 10 Nov. 2013
...tion, nearly 80% of cases occur in low-income countries, where cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women. Of course by taking the vaccine one cannot eliminate the cancer since it only targets four strains of HPV but it will surely reduce those numbers greatly, and isn’t this what we want in the end?
They also go on to say, “Two HPV types (16 and 18) cause 70% of cervical cancers and precancerous cervical lesions.” The most common forms of cancer caused by HPV are cervical cancers, anal cancer, vaginal, vulvar, and penile cancers, and have been seen to cause oropharyngeal cancer (National Cancer Institute). Some are more common than others and they are also less dangerous. Cervical cancer is the most common type of cancer caused by HPV. According to the World Health Organization, “In 2008, there were an estimated 529,000 new cases and 274, 00 deaths due to cervical cancer.” HPV is very dangerous and it is something that has to be taken
“Since 1990, over 6 million Americans have died of cancer, more than the combined casualties from the Civil war, WWII, and the Vietnam and Korean conflicts combined” (Faguet, p. 5). According to American Cancer Society projections, there were 1,529,560 new cases of cancer in 2010. Cancer is becoming more and more common around the world. New cancers are constantly being discovered. Researchers are finding new ways to detect cancer and treat it so that the fatality rate does not rise. However, there are some cancers that researchers have not yet discovered a cure for. It is very important for Cancer Research to continue so that one day these cancers will no longer be a treat.
Virulence factors of the causative agent: HPV contain certain proteins, E6 and E7, that inactivate the host’s tumor suppressor proteins. Which ultimately result in the rapid dividing rate that can’t be regulated
HPVs are now identified as the etiological factors in nearly all types of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and invasive cancer of the cervix. In fact, based on laboratory, clinical, and epidemiological evidence HPVs have been recognized as the ‘necessary cause’ of cervical cancer that is cancer of the cervix will not develop in the absence of persistent HPV infection.10 The relationship is stronger than that between cancer of the lung and cigarette smoking; but, the progression of cancer of the cervix from HPV infection is not inevitable. Studies have shown that only 100 000 or 10% of every one million women who are infected, progress to cervical dysplasia (that is pre-cancerous changes in cervical epithelial cells). Out of these,
Every year, eight hundred Australian women are diagnosed with cervical cancer, despite it being one of the most preventable diseases out there. Think about it: That could be your sister, best friend or even you.
Uterine cancer is an important women health problem developing rapidly, killing over 200,000 women each year. No one has discovered the actual cause, but there is a leading factor that has great suspicions to what is causing this cancer to grow rapidly.
...sease (STD) is the main cause of cervical cancer. Cervical cancer resembles various nonmalignant venereal diseases in that it is associated with promiscuity. In to that?s addition, there was also another possible risk factor, Evita's mother died of cervical cancer at the age 77.