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The cervix is the part of the woman’s womb that opens into the vagina.It is the connection between where a fetus lies to the birth canal. Cervical cancer occurs in this region, generally in the area called the ‘transformation zone. This transformation zone is the meddle region of a cervix.

Cervical cancer can be of two main types – the most common kind of cervical cancer is called squamous cell carcinoma. This occurs when the squamous cells that line the cervix close to the vagina become cancerous and start producing too many cells too rapidly. The other type, and one that is much rarer, is called adenocarcinoma, and is present when mucus secreting gland cells become cancerous. Adenocarcinoma has become a more common form in the past three decades.

Cervical cancer may be diagnosed more in those showing the following risk factors. But it is important to remember that exhibiting these risk factors does not mean you will definitely have cervical cancer. Being infected by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is said to increase your chances of getting cervical cancer greatly. HPV is a kind of virus that is most commonly related to warts that form in different regions of the body. It is spread through skin-to-skin contact and so can be spread by intercourse, oral or anal sex. The Pap test is a good way of knowing if you have been infected by this virus. But it is important to know that having this virus does not mean you have cervical cancer. Another risk factor is said to be smoking. Carcinogens in the tobacco have been found in the mucus formed by the cervix and so it is said women who smoke are at twice the risk of forming cervical cancers. Also things like a woman’s diet, her use of oral contraceptives, having an immunosuppressive disease and having a family history of cervical cancer is said to increase the chances of developing cervical cancer. Again, it is important to remember that having these risk factors does not necessarily mean you will have cervical cancer, but it is always better to do a few tests.

As with most other cancers, treatment can be done through surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy. It is most common to be treated using a mixture of two of these methods, and it is always advisable to listen to what the doctor has to say about these treatments.

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