Due to poor health services, cervical cancer is one of the most common types of cancer. During 2022, there were approximately 660 external new cases of cervical cancer. In addition, it was liable for 3,50,000 fatalities caused by cancer. It happens frequently that one of the primary contributors to cervical cancer is HPV infection. Thankfully, people are Imbalanced, and vaccinations and routine checkups are available in clinics, which can help tackle the situation.
Cervical cancer is a real problem because the malignant tumor begins to destroy organs of the pelvis and abdominal cavity. Surgery and chemotherapy are examples of the treatment of invasive cervical cancer, but all these treatments have side effects as well. It can affect subsequent pregnancies and raise the odds of contracting the infection. It is also essential to recognize the emotional challenges that women with cervical cancer face. Many of these women are caregivers and are stressed during this difficult time.
The blog “Complications of Cervical Cancer: Addressing Risks and Challenges” discusses the necessity to address significant questions for promoting the needs of women suffering from this disease.
Cervical Cancer: How to Define It?
The lower cylindrical structure of the uterus, which projects into the vagina, known as the cervix, is affected by a disease that is termed cervical carcinoma or cancer of the cervix. The reason why nearly 90 percent of all cervical malignancies are attributed to a virulent HPV beta virus could be due to its contagious nature. It might commence sluggishly and generally exists in precancerous cervical lesions, which are growths in the cervix. However, many poor women in these regions do not have access to the healthcare system. They may become aware that they have cervical cancer only when the condition of the disease has been exacerbated.
Complications of Cervical Cancer
- Metastasis: Cervical cancer can be severe, especially if it metastases in any part of the body, which includes if the cancer cells move from the cervix. It can be an aggressive disease as it can damage significant organs like lungs, kidneys, and even bones and lead to death. Once cervical cancer gets out of the cervix region, the scene is gruesome, and the doctors are left with no option but to make it possible. This is why early detection is essential, which enhances maintaining one’s health by making specific regular examinations compulsory for women who tend to have early signs of cancer.
- Treatment-Related Complications: For cases of cervical cancer, treatment modalities include surgical procedures, systemic therapies – which include chemotherapy – or a combination of the two. Each treatment can result in complications specific to the particular treatment rendered. When cervical cancer is diagnosed, surgery is carried out in which the uterus, cervix, or both might be eradicated. This is a life-saving procedure but can be associated with aspects like bleeding, injuries, and trauma to adjoining organs. This may complicate future pregnancies later on in the life of some women. Meanwhile, exposure to radiation therapy has been shown to induce extreme fatigue in patients, and skin side effects may also occur. Further, there may be sequelae as well, which could include dysuria or vaginismus. Finally, about breast cancer, clinicians rely on chemotherapy as part of the breast cancer treatment regimen. Such an approach results in side effects such as vomiting, shedding of hair, and increased susceptibility to infections – all of these affect the immune system. It is evident that side effects vary significantly across individual patients, and a physician, in this instance, should manage the side effects.
- Fertility Issues: It’s not out of the ordinary for adolescents or younger females diagnosed with cervical cancer to show fears about their chances of being fertile in the future for having children. They might also wish to have them in a tortious society. For instance, radical hysterectomy, which is one of the treatments, involves the removal of the uterus and hence makes them incapable of getting pregnant. Even other treatments that can be at times less extreme, like conization or trachelectomy, might predispose them to higher chances of miscarriage or parturition of their offspring at a younger age, which in turn would make it extremely difficult for women to have healthy pregnancies in the future. A possibility is that women will strive to bear healthy children in the future so that they will seek possible remedies. This indicates the imperative need for women who expect to have children after treatment to seek consultation from their respective doctors regarding measures that can ensure that their childbearing potential does not get affected in any way.
- Urinary and Bowel Dysfunction: Cervical cancer can interfere with the functioning of the lower abdomen, particularly regarding urination. This is due to the cancer’s abnormal growth in an area that is referred to as the pelvis. Some individuals might have difficulty micturating or have increased urinary frequency due to the tumor’s pressure on the bladder. In some cases, if there is an obstruction of the standard urine flow, it can even cause pain in their kids. Cervical cancer can also affect normal bowel function, leading to episodes of constipation or diarrhea. The use of radiation in treatment also seems to aggravate such bowel problems, thus causing persistent distress. Patients must discuss such symptoms with their physicians.
- Psychological Impact: The emotional aspects of cervical cancer illness are pretty varied. Many women report some level of anxiety and sadness following a diagnosis. They may develop health concerns, such as fear of the disease recurrence. Also, some women concentrate too much on their physical changes, reducing their self-esteem. Such feelings are likely to be aggravated by worries about their potential childbearing in the future. These are gigantic feelings that need to be catered to by seeing a psychiatrist or joining a support group so that they can speak out about their experiences to those people.
- Long-Term Health Risks: Sophisticatedly, even after the different cervical cancer treatments, the patients are supposed to observe their well-being. Another thing to look out for Is relapse, meaning the cancer could return. In the general population, cancer survivors do not face a drastically increased risk of developing second malignancies, so they do not need to be closely monitored. Although the condition is controllable, heart health must be given top priority, especially for people receiving radiation, chemotherapy, or other treatments. Cancer survivors need to be aware of their higher chance of getting cancer again. The damage inflicted on healthy cells and the alterations to the immune system from medical treatment significantly heightens this risk. It is crucial for survivors to understand this reality and to remain vigilant about their health. Proactively addressing these concerns is essential and must be prioritized. So, timely follow-ups are necessary for the survivors of cervical cancer to maintain good health throughout life.
Addressing Risks and Challenges
- Early Detection and Prevention: There are two things everyone should know to reduce the risks of cervical cancer. First, getting the HPV vaccine is very important. This vaccine assists immunization against one virus known as human papillomavirus (HPV), with the potential to cause cervical cancer. This is best administered for children of about nine years and can be taken up to the age of forty-five. Second, screening tests such as Pap smear and HPV test must be taken repeatedly. These tests enable the doctor to identify any precancerous changes in the cervix that may develop into cancer. Women should make sure they screen for these illnesses based on the following age to ensure that they are treated early when they are easy to treat.
- Patient Education: When doctors work with patients diagnosed with cervical cancer, it is critical to discuss with the patient what could be expected after the treatment. First, some treatments make a woman unable to conceive in the future, and therefore, discussing this is very essential. Second, patients require knowledge that aftercare is crucial for them as they recover from their diseases. This means they should go for checkups with their doctors to ensure no lifelong impacts from the treatment. Finally, patients should know how to manage side effects such as fatigue or pain. These things lighten the load for patients because they get the information that enables them to choose and feel more ready.
- Support Systems: Cervical cancer patients are categorically susceptible and require considerable support to cope with cervical cancer. Program counseling is valuable since it affords a patient psychological support and the need to confront what often arises when being diagnosed with cancer. Another type of group is the support one because patients can communicate with others who have similar experiences and feelings during hard treatment times. Further, suppose the person wants to have a child in the future. In that case, the possibility of using IVF donor eggs or using donor embryos becoming legal in many countries will need to be discussed before beginning treatment. Such support can go a long way in a patient’s perception of a facility.
Conclusion
Cervical cancer can have many impacts, which are not only the fact of the illness. It originates in the cervix, the lower end of the womb, and can extend to all other affected parts. The spread of cancer is termed as metastasis. Patients with cervical cancer may have adverse reactions to treatment procedures like surgery or chemotherapy that make them ill. These risks should be well explained to the patient and the doctor so that they can embrace the best strategy for the prevention and management of cancer. More knowledge of cervical cancer can enable us to assist as many individuals as possible and assist them through their experience.