Cervical cancer is an extremely uncommon type of cancer that begins in the vagina. The vagina is a cavity that connects a woman’s uterus to her vagina. The cervix is usually a smooth, hollow cylinder which extends from the vagina to the cervix (and sometimes into the birth canal). The majority of cervical cancers start in cancerous cells on the outer surface of the cervix, or in other words, outside the cervix at the level of the vagina.
In most cases, if you are experiencing any of the above symptoms and have been recently diagnosed with cervical cancer, it is highly likely that you will be referred to a doctor for special diagnosis. Early detection can save your life! Your doctor will first need to do a biopsy, removing cells for laboratory testing. Then, depending on the stage of the disease, your doctor may decide to perform a cervical examination to see if any of the cancer has spread to other areas of your body. If the doctor detects any cancer cells during this process, your doctor will have you come back in a few weeks for a more definitive diagnosis.
There are two types of cervical cancer. These include those that develop in one of your cervix’ chambers and those which develop elsewhere. Those that develop in one of your cervices tend to be slow-growing, while those that grow elsewhere tend to be aggressive and invasive. If cancer cells start to spread beyond the cervix, they tend to go through the uterus and out of it. This can happen either in the upper part of your vagina, the pelvic region, the rectum, or any other place in your body.
