Victoria’s Read

Cervical cancer starts in the cells of the cervix. The cervix is the narrow, lower part of the uterus (or womb). It is the passageway that connects the uterus to the vagina.
It is estimated that 1,350 new cases of cervical cancer will be diagnosed in Canada in 2007.

The lifetime probability of a woman developing cervical cancer in Canada is 1 in 147.

It is estimated that 390 deaths from cervical cancer will occur in Canada in 2007.

The lifetime probability of a woman dying from cervical cancer in Canada is 1 in 437.

Signs and symptoms of cervical cancer can also be caused by other health conditions so it is important to have them checked by a doctor.

Cervical cancer may not cause any signs or symptoms in its early stages. Early changes to the cells in the cervix are often picked up during routine Pap tests.
Signs and symptoms for cervical cancer are abnormal bleeding, spotting or bloodstained discharge from the vagina between periods, unusually long or heavy periods, bleeding after sexual intercourse, pain during sexual intercourse, watery discharge from the vagina, increased amount of discharge from the vagina and bleeding from the vagina after menopause.

Late signs and symptoms occur as the cancer grows larger or spreads to other parts of the body, including other organs. They are pain in the pelvic area or lower back that may go down the leg(s), foul-smelling discharge from the vagina, swelling (edema) of the legs, anemia, which causes tiredness and lack of energy and shortness of breath.

Treatment plans are designed to meet the unique needs of each person with cancer and the characteristics of the type of cancer they have. Treatment decisions for invasive cervical cancer are based on the size of the tumor, the stage of the cancer, personal factors, such as the woman’s age and if she wants to maintain her ability to have children in the future and a woman’s overall health

Surgery removes or repairs tissue that has been affected by cancer. Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays or particles to destroy cancer cells. Chemotherapy uses anti-cancer (cytotoxic) drugs to interfere with the ability of cancer cells to grow and spread.

www.cancer.ca