Do You Know Side Effects of Cervical Cancer Treatment?

Cervical cancer happens when the cervical cells grow abnormal and invade other tissues of the body. Human papillomavirus (HPV) that spreads through sexual contact is the main cause of this type of cancer. When contracted HPV, a woman’s immunity tries to prevent the virus from harming. However, in some people, HPV survives for years, causing some cells on the cervix’s surface becomes abnormal. Though cervical cancer can be treated in the early stages, it’s less noticeable during the periods. Commonly, treatments for the cancer are more effective in some first stages. But it’s possible to have side effects of cervical cancer treatments. Keep reading to learn more about cervical cancer and the side effects of its treatment.

What Does It Make You Have Cervical Cancer?

As mentioned above, cervical cancer is mostly caused by HPV. This virus spreads through sexual activities. But not all of HPV cause cervical cancer. Only some high-risk HPV strains, such as HPV 16 and HPV 18, lead to the cancer. Other types of HPV are mostly harmless or cause genital warts and skin warts.

Besides HPV, there’re many factors that increase your risk of cervical cancer. These can include early sexual contact, multiple sexual partners, and taking birth control pills. Smoking is considered one of the important risk factors for the growth of cervical cancer. The chemicals in tobacco link to the cervical cells, leading to precancerous changes. These cell changes over time progress to cancer. There’s a fact that the risk of this cancer in the smoker is 2-5 times that of in non-smokers.

To know if you have cervical cancer, a Pap smear test is available for detecting the abnormal cells on the cervix. So, see your doctor soon if you experience

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding (vaginal bleeding after sex or menopause)
• Abnormal vaginal discharge
• Bleeding between periods
• Pelvic pain

Learn More: How Is Cervical Cancer Diagnosed?

What Are Complications of Cervical Cancer if Left Untreated?

After a cervical cancer diagnosis, it’s important to receive treatments as soon as possible. What happens if you left it untreated? We know the abnormal cervical cells can invade other tissues and organs on the body and cause many complications. Initially, cancerous cells could spread through the vessels of your lymph system. They begin moving to near your aorta or lymph nodes in your pelvis. Then, cancer travels to far organs, such as your bones, liver, and affects your lungs as well as the brain.

As a result, you may suffer from certain complications, such as:

• Back pain
• Bone pain and weak fractures
• Leg pain
• Pain and bleeding during intercourse
• Leakage of feces or urine from your vagina
• Loss of appetite
• More severe cancer

If left untreated, cervical cancer is difficult to cure and can be life-threatening. Thus, you should get tests to detect the cancer and receive treatment soon.

Learn More: What Are Treatments of Cervical Cancer for Each Stage?

Side Effects of Cervical Cancer Treatment

Treatment options for cervical cancer may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. Depending on which stage of cervical cancer you have, treatment can vary. The sooner treatment, the better the results. However, treatment of cervical cancer may have some side effects. Let’s watch for what side effects of cervical cancer treatment are

1. Surgery

Side effects linked to surgery depend on which surgery is done. Generally, the less surgery, the fewer side effects.

For Hysterectomy

This surgery aims to cut your uterus that you’re unable to get pregnant. Besides, you may go in menopause period if your ovaries are cut during the surgery. Medications and lifestyle changes can help relieve the symptoms of menopause. Another side effect of this treatment is the risk of bladder damage, but it’s usually temporary.

This surgery doesn’t affect your orgasm satisfaction, but some women have psychological barriers after the surgery.

For Conization

This surgery aims to remove a cone-shaped of the cervix. The removed amount of tissues depend on the severity of cancer. The surgery may damage the structure of the cervix that makes it hard to get a pregnancy. It also increases your risk of miscarriage or preterm births.

Learn More: What You Should Do During Cervical Cancer Treatment

2. Radiation Therapy

There’re many side effects of radiation therapy. Short-term side effects may have

• Tired
• Stomachaches
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Loose bowels

Other side effects may occur after the treatment, such as

• Vaginal dryness
• Premature menopause
• Urinary problems
• Painful intercourse

Along with that, the side effect of radiation is irritation in the vagina and vulva after the procedure. It also leaves scarring tissue in your vagina, leading to vaginal stenosis. The narrowing or shortening of your vagina results in problems during intercourse. Also, it causes difficulties for medical follow-up.

Learn More: What Does It Tell You if You Have an Abnormal Pap Smear Test?

3. Chemotherapy

Side effects can vary depending on different chemotherapy. On a whole, several side effects of chemotherapy include:

• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Hair loss
• Vomiting
• Mouth sores
• High risk of infections
• Shortness of breath

These side effects may go away when the chemotherapy ends up.

HPV is the main cause of cervical cancer. This virus also leads to genital warts- an untreated STD. But Vidarox and other therapies help control this virus and prevent it from returning. It’s better to get HPV and Pap smear tests that help detect precancerous cells early. If you have cervical cancer, some treatments are available for dealing with it. Though the side effects of cervical cancer treatment can occur, your doctor may help lower the side effects as high as possible.