Cervical Cancer and Dysplasia

The prevalence of cervical cancer and dysplasia is one of the main concerns for gynecologists in many countries. Several millions of new cases of these diseases are registered each year. Annually, cervical cancer kills about 300 thousand women. Dysplasia of the cervix is a precursor of the cancer, and women may not know that they develop this disease because it rarely causes visible symptoms.

Cervical cancer and dysplasia are more likely to occur in women that have history of sexual contacts with several partners, early beginning of sexual activity, suppressed immune system, smoking, prenatal exposure to diethylstilbestrol etc. It is also shown that the primary cause of these diseases is the infection with human papillomavirus.

When cervical cancer and dysplasia are detected at an early stage, their treatment is more effective and less expensive. These conditions are frequently found by Pap test, performed during pelvic examination. This is a test directed to evaluate shape, size and number of cells in the smear taken from the cervical surface. Pap smear should be done annually in every woman because it allows to prevent different health problems.

There are different ways to treat cervical cancer and dysplasia. The diseased tissues of the cervix may be destroyed by laser, electric current and freezing or they can be removed by a scalpel. The choice of an adequate way of treatment depends on the severity of the present lesions. Moreover, the doctor needs to consider the risk of possible complications related to any surgical procedure.

It is very useful to avoid smoking, unprotected sexual intercourse and sexual contacts with numerous partners as well as to reinforce the immune system in order to decrease the risk of cervical cancer and dysplasia. Regular pelvic examinations are also of great importance. In cases Pap smear is suggestive of abnormal changes on the cervix, a close medical surveillance is needed.

There have been developed a number of new methods of early detection and successful treatment of cervical cancer and dysplasia, including HPV DNA testing and improved techniques of cytological analysis. New methods are characterized by a low rate of false negative results and a better quality of cervical pathologies screening. There are also many studies devoted to develop a vaccine against human papillomavirus which is proved to be the primary risk factor of cervical cancer and dysplasia.