Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is caused by a virus that survives and eventually infects some cells in the cervix that allows cancerous cells to develop. Since most women have routine Pap test screening, the prevalence of cervical cancer has decreased in recent years.

Generally, there are really no outward signs of cervical cancer in its early stages. As the disease advances, a woman may experience vaginal bleeding or watery, bloody discharge. They may also experience pelvic pain.

There are different known risk factors for developing cervical cancer, and this list includes smoking cigarettes. The exact link between the two is now fully understood, and researches have seen an increased risk of women who smoke developing cervical cancer.

Tests for Cervical Cancer

The strength of a woman's immune system also plays a role in whether or not she will develop cervical cancer. Unfortunately, there is no way to test for this, which makes it difficult to determine which women will develop this type of cancer. It is therefore a necessity for women to get routine Pap test done annually. This test will determine if there are any abnormal cells present, and it's important to discover any abnormal cells since they could convert other cells into cancerous cells. A simple, noninvasive test like this can help a doctor to treat a woman before the cells are able to infect any other area including the cervix.

Diagnosis of Cervical Cancer

If you have been diagnosed with cervical cancer, the doctor will need to determine what stage of the cancer you have entered. When the cancer has only reached the outer layer of the lining of the cervix, there are some treatment options. They could include conization, laser surgery, cryosurgery or a hysterectomy.

Treatment of Cervical Cancer

However, if the cervical cancer has reached a more advanced stage, the treatment options are different. These could include a hysterectomy, radiation treatment, radical trachelectomy, or chemotherapy. As is the case with all cancers, the doctor would need to perform several tests and take a medical history before determining the best treatment plan.

Although the association between smoking and cervical cancer has only recently been discovered, it is still important to understand what legal options you may have if you're a smoker who suffers from cervical cancer. The Florida Supreme Court recently stated as a matter of laws that nicotine is addictive and that it causes several diseases. Therefore, you need to act now to protect your legal rights by contacting an attorney today.