Types of Women's Cancer

Cancer of the cervix, the narrow neck that opens into the uterus, accounts for six percent of all cancers in women. Regular pelvic examinations and Pap smears are essential to early detection, because cervical cancer is virtually 100 percent curable at an early stage. The development of cervical cancer has been closely associated with infection from a Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), a sexually transmitted disease.

Symptoms:

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding
• Unusual vaginal discharge
• Bleeding other than usual menstrual period
• Bleeding after intercourse

Risk Factors:

• Early age at first intercourse
• Multiple sex partners
• History of genital warts (HPV)
• History of herpes simplex II virus
• Smoking

Treatment:
This varies based on the stage of cancer at the time of diagnosis. Surgery and radiotherapy are equally effective forms of treatment for early-stage cervical cancer. In advanced cervical cancer, treatment usually involves radiation therapy or radiation along with chemotherapy.