 Conditions that suggest Cervical Cancer:
Risk factors for Cervical Cancer: | |  | | | Addictions |  Cigarette Smoke Damage | Cigarette smoking accounts for approximately 30% of cervical cancers deaths in the USA, with women smokers having a two-fold increase in the incidence of this disease over never-smokers. Cessation appears to have an immediate effect, with former smokers having no increased risk of developing cervical cancer.
A 9-year prospective study of over 6,000 women found a dose-response relationship between smoking cigarettes and the risk of cervical cancer. Those who smoked 15 or more cigarettes per day were 80% more likely to develop cancer or precancerous lesions than nonsmokers. Those who smoked for 10 or more years were 80% more likely to develop cancer. Starting smoking younger than age 16 produced twice the risk of nonsmokers for developing cervical pathology. Smoking is one co-factor that makes HPV-infected cells more likely to turn cancerous. |
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Family History |
 Close relative/close relatives with cervical cancer| | It has been shown that genes play an important part in this disease: a woman has a higher risk of cervical cancer if her sister or mother had it. |
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Immunity |
Weakened Immune System| | A primary risk factor for cervical cancer is a weakened immune system. Since infection with HIV, for example, damages the immune system, being HIV-positive makes women more susceptible to HPV infection and cervical cancer. |
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Medical Procedures |
Counter-indicators:
 Hysterectomy with both ovaries or hysterectomy with one ovary or total/radical hysterectomy (confirmed) |
Personal Background |
African ethnicity| | African-American women are more at risk of cervical cancer than are caucasians. |
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Sexually-Transmitted Diseases |
 HPV (Human Papilloma Virus)| | HPV confers a very high risk of developing cervical cancer; all cases of cervical cancer are positive for HPV. Cervical cancer is the first major solid tumor cancer to be identified as being caused by a virus. |
STD Chlamydia| | In a five year follow-up study, women whose blood had shown signs of infection with any type of chlamydia were about 2-1/2 times more likely to develop cervical cancer, compared with those who had had no signs of infection. Women with one particular subtype of chlamydia in their blood (serotype G) were 6 times more likely to develop cervical cancer, and several other subtypes were linked to risks 3 to 4 times that of uninfected women. |
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Symptoms - Cancer |
History of cervical cancer |
Symptoms - Reproductive - General |
Having had/having had very many sexual partners| | Increased risk is associated with multiple sexual partners. |
(Slightly) early sexual activity| | Increased risk is associated with early onset of sexual activity. |
(Very) early birth of first child| | Early childbearing increases the risk. |
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Cervical Cancer suggests the following may be present: | | | | | Addictions | Cigarette Smoke Damage| | Cigarette smoking accounts for approximately 30% of cervical cancers deaths in the USA, with women smokers having a two-fold increase in the incidence of this disease over never-smokers. Cessation appears to have an immediate effect, with former smokers having no increased risk of developing cervical cancer.
A 9-year prospective study of over 6,000 women found a dose-response relationship between smoking cigarettes and the risk of cervical cancer. Those who smoked 15 or more cigarettes per day were 80% more likely to develop cancer or precancerous lesions than nonsmokers. Those who smoked for 10 or more years were 80% more likely to develop cancer. Starting smoking younger than age 16 produced twice the risk of nonsmokers for developing cervical pathology. Smoking is one co-factor that makes HPV-infected cells more likely to turn cancerous. |
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Sexually-Transmitted Diseases |
HPV (Human Papilloma Virus)| | HPV confers a very high risk of developing cervical cancer; all cases of cervical cancer are positive for HPV. Cervical cancer is the first major solid tumor cancer to be identified as being caused by a virus. |
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Preventive measures against Cervical Cancer: | | | | | Diet |  Plant-Based Nutrition |
Nutrient |
Lycopene| | A study of women found that the 75% who ate the least amount of tomatoes had between 3.5 and 4.7 times the risk for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia - pre-cancerous changes of the cervix. [Int J Cancer 1991;48: pp.34-8] Other researchers have also reported evidence suggesting that high dietary lycopene may be linked to protection from cervical dysplasia. [Nutr Cancer 1998;31: pp.31-40] |
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KEY | | Weak or unproven link | | | Strong or generally accepted link | | | Proven definite or direct link | | | Very strongly or absolutely counter-indicative | | | May do some good |
GLOSSARY
Cancer
Refers to the various types of malignant neoplasms that contain cells growing out of control and invading adjacent tissues, which may metastasize to distant tissues.
Cervical Dysplasia
Abnormal cells on the surface of the cervix, classified as either mild (70% of cases fall into this category; the cells regress on their own), moderate, or severe, or as class 1, 2 or 3. While dysplasia itself does not cause health problems, it is considered to be a precancerous condition. Left untreated, dysplasia sometimes progresses to an early form of cancer known as cervical carcinoma in situ, and eventually to invasive cervical cancer.
Cervix
The lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina.
Chlamydia
A sexually-transmitted disease that is often without symptoms. Some females experience a white vaginal discharge that resembles cottage cheese, a burning sensation when urinating, itching, and painful intercourse. A clear watery urethral discharge in the male probably is a chlamydia infection.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
A retrovirus associated with onset of advanced immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Immune System (Immune Response, Immunity)
A complex that protects the body from disease organisms and other foreign bodies. The system includes the humoral immune response and the cell-mediated response. The immune system also protects the body from invasion by making local barriers and inflammation. The process may involve acquired immunity (the ability to learn and remember a specific infectious agent), or innate immunity (the genetically programmed system of responses that attack, digest, remove, and initiate inflammation and tissue healing).
Malignant (Cancerous)
Dangerous. Mainly used to describe a cancerous growth -- when used this way, it means the growth is cancerous and predisposed to spreading.
Neoplasia
The presence of abnormal cells forming a growth or tumor, unable to perform their normal functions, and replacing healthy cells.
Pap Test (Pap Smear)
Papanicolaou test. Microscopic examination of cells collected from the vagina and cervix to test for uterine cancer or dysplasia.
Pathology (Pathologist)
Disease, particularly one with clear and obvious changes in structure or function; the study of same.
Precancerous Lesion (Precancerous Lesions)
Abnormal tissue that is not yet malignant.
Tumor (Tumors, Tumour, Tumours)
An abnormal growth of tissue resulting from uncontrolled, progressive multiplication of cells and serving no physiological function; a neoplasm. Literally, a swelling; in the past the term has been used in reference to any swelling of the body, no matter what the cause. However, the word is now being used almost exclusively to refer to a neoplastic mass, and the more general usage is being discarded.
Uterus (Uterine)
The part of the female reproductive system specialized to allow the implantation, growth and nourishment of a fetus during pregnancy.
Virus (Viri, Viruses)
Any of a vast group of minute structures composed of a protein coat and a core of DNA and/or RNA that reproduces in the cells of the infected host. Capable of infecting all animals and plants, causing devastating disease in immunocompromised individuals. Viruses are not affected by antibiotics, and are completely dependent upon the cells of the infected host for the ability to reproduce.
Last updated: Apr 27, 2008
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