Cervical Squamous Cell Carcinoma In 2011, an estimated 1300 new cases of cervical cancer were diagnosed in Canada, with about 350 deaths stated by the Canadian Cancer Society (as cited in CMAJ, 2013). Cervical cancer is a disease that can be very serious. It is one of the most common types of cancer in women worldwide. To properly care for these patient’s nurses should have a strong knowledge and understanding about the pathophysiology, risk factors, stages, treatments, and nursing interventions for cervical cancer. It starts in the cells lining the cervix, in the lower part of the uterus which is called the uterine cervix. The fetus grows in the upper body of the uterus. The cervix connects the body of the uterus to the vagina,
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Women of certain religions such as, Catholic nuns, Amish, and Mormon women also tend to have lower rates of cervical cancer. Their exposure for HPV is lower, due to having fewer sexual partners. Sexual activity at an early age, can increase risk of HPV acquisition. Infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most important risk factor for cervical cancer (Canadian Cancer Society, 2017). There are many different types of HPV that can infect the cervix. Only some forms of HPV can cause abnormal changes to cells that may turn into cancer. Tobacco smoking can increase the risk of an HPV infection not going away on its own. This can lead a precancerous condition of the cervix, called cervical dysplasia. Researchers have found by-products of cigarette smoke in cells lining the cervix in women who smoke. They believe that these harmful substances may damage the cells and allow an HPV infection to stay in the body (Canadian Cancer Society, 2017). Giving birth many times has been linked with cervical cancer risk. The risk becomes greater, the more children a woman gives birth to, due to high levels of sex hormones present during pregnancy and …show more content…
Most gynecologic oncologists use the FIGO (International Federation of Gynecologists and Obstetricians) classification. The disease is divided into five stages, with further divisions in each stage. A carcinoma in situ is Stage 0. In Stage I, the cancer is confined to the cervix. When the disease spreads beyond the cervix but not to the pelvic sidewall, or involves the vagina but not the lower third, this is considered Stage II. Stage III carcinoma spreads to the pelvic sidewall, involves the lower third of the vagina or obstructs one or both ureters. Lastly, Stage IV, the cancer has spread to distant organs beyond the true pelvis or involves the lining of the bladder or rectum (Stern,
Women of certain religions such as, Catholic nuns, Amish, and Mormon women also tend to have lower rates of cervical cancer. Their exposure for HPV is lower, due to having fewer sexual partners. Sexual activity at an early age, can increase risk of HPV acquisition. Infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most important risk factor for cervical cancer (Canadian Cancer Society, 2017). There are many different types of HPV that can infect the cervix. Only some forms of HPV can cause abnormal changes to cells that may turn into cancer. Tobacco smoking can increase the risk of an HPV infection not going away on its own. This can lead a precancerous condition of the cervix, called cervical dysplasia. Researchers have found by-products of cigarette smoke in cells lining the cervix in women who smoke. They believe that these harmful substances may damage the cells and allow an HPV infection to stay in the body (Canadian Cancer Society, 2017). Giving birth many times has been linked with cervical cancer risk. The risk becomes greater, the more children a woman gives birth to, due to high levels of sex hormones present during pregnancy and …show more content…
Most gynecologic oncologists use the FIGO (International Federation of Gynecologists and Obstetricians) classification. The disease is divided into five stages, with further divisions in each stage. A carcinoma in situ is Stage 0. In Stage I, the cancer is confined to the cervix. When the disease spreads beyond the cervix but not to the pelvic sidewall, or involves the vagina but not the lower third, this is considered Stage II. Stage III carcinoma spreads to the pelvic sidewall, involves the lower third of the vagina or obstructs one or both ureters. Lastly, Stage IV, the cancer has spread to distant organs beyond the true pelvis or involves the lining of the bladder or rectum (Stern,