Cervical cancer

What causes cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer is mainly caused by infection with the human papilloma virus (HPV), a very common virus with more than 100 types. Some types of HPV affect the cervix and cause abnormal cell changes that can, over time, turn into cervical cancer.

Macmillan Cancer Support has more information about HPV and other causes and risk factors of cervical cancer.

আপনার যদি কোনো উপসর্গ দেখা দেয়, সাধারণত প্রথমে আপনি আপনার জিপি বা পারিবারিক চিকিৎসকের কাছে যাবেন। তিনি আপনাকে পরীক্ষা করে দেখবেন। বিশেষজ্ঞ চিকিৎসককে দেখানো আর কিছু পরীক্ষা-নিরীক্ষার জন্য তিনি আপনাকে হাসপাতালে পাঠাতে পারেন। জিপির যদি মনে হয় আপনার ক্যান্সার থাকতে পারে, তাহলে তিনি আপনাকে জরুরি ভিত্তিতে হাসপাতালে পাঠাবেন।

জরায়ুমুখের ক্যান্সার সার্ভিক্যাল স্ক্রিনিংয়ের (জরায়ুমুখের নিয়মিত পরীক্ষা) সময়ও ধরা পড়তে পারে। এমনটা খুব একটা হয় না, তবে কখনো কখনো হয়।

পরীক্ষা করাতে গেলে কী কী হয়, সে বিষয়ে আরও তথ্য পাবেন Get Checked Early-তে।

জরায়ুমুখের ক্যান্সার কীভাবে শনাক্ত করা হয়, সে বিষয়ে Macmillan Cancer Support-এর কাছে আরও তথ্য আছে।

জরায়ুমুখের ক্যান্সারের স্টেজ বা পর্যায়

জরায়ুমুখের ক্যান্সারের স্টেজ দিয়ে বোঝানো হয় ক্যান্সারটি কতটা বড় আর যেখানে শুরু হয়েছিল সেখান থেকে অন্য কোথাও ছড়িয়েছে কি না। স্টেজ জানা থাকলে আপনার জন্য সবচেয়ে ভালো চিকিৎসার পরিকল্পনা করতে চিকিৎসকদের সুবিধা হয়।

জরায়ুমুখের ক্যান্সারের স্টেজ নির্ধারণ নিয়ে Macmillan Cancer Support-এর কাছে আরও তথ্য আছে।

Treatment for cervical cancer

A team of specialists will meet to discuss the best possible treatment for you. This is called a multidisciplinary team (MDT).

The treatment you have depends on:

• the stage of the cancer
• the size of the cancer
• your general health
• whether you have been through the menopause
• whether you want to get pregnant in future

You and your specialist doctor will decide on the right treatment plan for you. Your doctor is an expert in the most effective treatments. But you know most about your own situation and preferences.

Protecting your fertility

Treatments for cervical cancer may affect your fertility and cause an early menopause. An early menopause means having the menopause before the age of 45.If you want to get pregnant in the future, it’s important to talk to your doctors about this. You may be able to have treatment that can protect your fertility. If this isn’t possible, your doctor can refer you to a fertility specialist. You can talk with the specialist about options like having egg or embryo storage before treatment.

Types of treatment

You may have more than one of the following treatments. You may also have treatment as part of a clinical trial.

Surgery

Surgery aims to remove all the cancer. Macmillan Cancer Support have more information out what happens before and after surgery.

Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells. This may be used on its own or in combination with chemotherapy (chemoradiation).

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses anti-cancer (cytotoxic) drugs to destroy cancer cells.

Targeted therapy

Targeted therapies are drugs that target something in or around the cancer cell that’s helping it grow and survive.

Immunotherapy

The immune system protects the body against illness and infection.

Immunotherapies are treatments that use the immune system to find and attack cancer cells. Nivolumab (Opdivo®) and ipilimumab (YERVOY®) are immunotherapy drugs that are starting to be used in cervical cancer treatment. At the moment, they can only be used as part of a clinical trial.

Your doctor or nurse can give you more information about the right treatment for your situation.

Treatment for early-stage cervical cancer

Most cancers of the cervix are diagnosed at an early stage. Surgery is the main treatment.

Radiotherapy or chemoradiation (radiotherapy given with chemotherapy) is sometimes used:

• instead of surgery – if you’re not fit for a big operation or general anaesthetic
• after surgery – to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back

Treatment for locally advanced cancer

Chemoradiation is the main treatment for locally advanced cancer.

Treatment for advanced-stage cancer

Chemotherapy, and sometimes a targeted therapy called bevacizumab, may be used if the cancer has spread to distant parts of your body like the liver or lungs. It may help to shrink and control the cancer and relieve symptoms. This is called palliative treatment.

After cervical cancer treatment

After your treatment has finished, you’ll have regular check-ups with your cancer doctor or nurse. These may include:

• a phone appointment
• a physical examination
• blood tests
• x-rays
• scans

Macmillan Cancer Support have more information on follow-up care after treatment.

Even if you already have a healthy lifestyle, you may choose to make some positive lifestyle changes after treatment.

Making small changes like eating well and keeping active can improve your health and wellbeing and help your body recover.

You may get anxious between appointments. This is natural. It may help to get support from family, friends or a support organisation.

Macmillan Cancer Support also has further information to support you. You can:

• phone the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00
• chat to Macmillan specialists online
• use the Macmillan cervical cancer forum – you can talk to others affected by cervical cancer, ask questions and share your experience

Don’t include personal information e.g. name, location or any personal health conditions.