The cervix (cervix or a short cervix) is the narrow lower foothills of the womb (uterus), which protrudes into the vagina. In the analysis of the visible portion of the cervix, vagina, cervix uteri is called, is seen in the middle of the opening of the cervix to. By this point, in the context of gynecological cancer screening swabs prepared for microscopic examination.
Position 10 of the most common cancer of women
Each year, in Germany, about 6500 women from cervical cancer. The precursors are included in this figure. Before the introduction of screening (1971) had cervical cancer, the commonest cancer in women. Today, it lies in 10th place, as for regular check-ups are often curable stages of the disease are detected early.
Age-related development
There are two age sections in which the disease occurs more frequently:
Position 10 of the most common cancer of women
Each year, in Germany, about 6500 women from cervical cancer. The precursors are included in this figure. Before the introduction of screening (1971) had cervical cancer, the commonest cancer in women. Today, it lies in 10th place, as for regular check-ups are often curable stages of the disease are detected early.
Age-related development
There are two age sections in which the disease occurs more frequently:
- A peak incidence is in women, at the 35th year of life. Since younger women are more frequent and often go to a regular gynecologist, who are here frequently detected cancers at an early stage.
- From age 60 Age are also found increased cervical cancers. Since older women are less regularly go to the gynecologist, they are generally of advanced cancer disease.
HPV viruses are the trigger for abnormal cell development
As a reliable cause of cervical cancer today is the infection with human papillomavirus (HPV). There are about 80 subtypes of the virus causing the disease can be different, or even for humans are quite harmless. Some causes such as genital warts. Especially HPV types 16 and 18 you have to stimulate the ability to uncontrolled cell growth. With more than 70 percent of all cervical cancers, these two virus types are detected.
Additional conditions are necessary for infection
However, certain conditions are necessary so that the result is an infection with these types of HPV to the development of cervical cancer. The virus must survive in the form of a chronic infection, on average, over 15 years in the cells. Only then it comes to cell degeneration. That is despite infection rates of 50 to 80 percent only a few women in the case. Typically, a fully intact immune system can fend off a viral infection. Due to the slow development of the tumor, it is also possible to detect early stages of cervical cancer and treat.
Risk Factors
There are several factors that favor the development of cervical cancer:
- Immune deficiency diseases such as AIDS and immunosuppressive drugs (eg, after organ transplantation), cause an HPV infection, the immune system can not adequately fight.
- If there is already infected with HPV, it can facilitate an additional infection with other sexually transmitted pathogens such as herpes simplex and chlamydia in colon cancer. Condoms reduce the possibility of infection with these pathogens.
- Smoking and passive smoking: degradation products of tobacco smoke can increase detected in the mucosa of the cervix. This increases the risk for cervical cancer by up to 60 percent compared to nonsmokers.
- Women with many births, four times more likely to suffer cervical cancer than women who have no children. What brings about this increased risk is not assured. Both pregnancy related tissue changes are discussed, as well as lower living standards and poverty-related risk factors.
Enabling conditions
Other factors that promote the general infection with HPV:
- Start of sexual intercourse at a young age
- Frequent change of sexual partners
- Poor hygiene in the genital area
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