Cervical cancer is the cancerous growth of cells that occur in the cervix. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that is connected to the vagina. In the initial stages, cervical cancer is not likely to exhibit any symptoms. As it develops gradually, one can experience symptoms such as vaginal bleeding during or after intercourse and after menopause or between periods; bloody or watery vaginal discharge, which can be heavy and can also have a foul odor; and pain during intercourse.

Cervical cancer usually tends to occur in midlife. Women aged between 35 to 44 years are mostly detected with the symptoms of cervical cancer. If the cancer is detected in women aged over 65, it could be because she is not going for regular screening and check-ups. A PAP test done regularly is the best way to detect the symptoms of cervical cancer at an early stage. In some cases, the PAP test can also be combined with the test for HPV or human papillomavirus. Treatments for cervical cancer may include:

1. Cancer staging
The successful treatments for cervical cancer depend on various factors. These include the stage of cancerous development, underlying health issues of the patient, overall health, and preferences of the patient. Based on these factors, doctors will treat the condition with the help of surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or a combination of all of these if needed.

2. Surgery
If cancerous development is in the early stages, doctors usually opt to treat it with surgery. However, the surgical decision is also based on the size of cancer and whether the patient plans to have children in the future. The options for surgery include-

• Cutting away the cancerous area
• Removing the cervix
• Removing the cervix and uterus

3. Radiation
It is a therapy that uses high-powered energy beams, for example, protons or X-rays to kill cancer cells. In some cases, radiation therapy is used with chemotherapy to treat cervical cancer. Based on the stage and the symptoms of cervical cancer, your doctor can give radiation therapy in various ways:

• Externally on to the affected area
• Internally by placing a radiation device inside the vagina
• Both internally and externally

4. Chemotherapy
It is a method of treatment for cervical cancer that uses medications. These medications contain powerful chemicals to kill or destroy cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be administered orally or intravenously.

5. Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a medication-based treatment for cervical cancer. This procedure helps build immunity in the body to fight cancer. It is prescribed in the advanced stages when other treatment processes do not help the patient to recover effectively.

6. Supportive or palliative care
This type of treatment for cervical cancer focuses on offering relief from pain and symptoms of serious illness that develops along with cervical cancer. In this type of treatment, the palliative care specialists closely work with the patient, their family, and doctors to provide the required support.