Causes and mechanisms of development

Cervical cancer can occur from exposure to various unfavorable factors. Such factors include inflammatory diseases of the female reproductive organs, hormonal disorders, decreased immunity, smoking, early sexual activity and frequent partner exchange. But most researchers support the fact that the main cause of cervical cancer is infection with human papillomavirus (HPV).

The disease caused by the human papilloma virus, stacked all the other predisposing factors: the virus often circulates in the human body, but it can cause disease only at lower immunity, which is facilitated by inflammatory diseases, hormonal disorders and smoking.

Human papilloma virus disrupts the unnecessary destruction of epithelial cells of the cervix, which, over time acquire special (atypical) properties and multiply rapidly. Thus begins the process of tumor.

How is cervical cancer

Initially, cervical cancer is asymptomatic. That is why all that is necessary twice a year to visit the gynecologist. In some cases, a woman may feel some vague discomfort. Only when cervical cancer reaches a sufficiently severe stage, there are clear signs of general and local diseases.

Common signs of cervical cancer include such violations of metabolic processes in the body, caused by a malignant tumor, the total weight loss, lack of appetite, lethargy, fatigue, and sometimes - the temperature rise to small numbers (37, 2-37, 5˚) and so on. But these symptoms do not always occur. Often the disease is manifested only locally.

The local manifestations of cervical cancer are different kinds of intermenstrual bleeding, which can occur after sexual intercourse, douching, and other procedures. Changes menstrual cycle: menstrual period may be longer, after menstruation is often seen smearing blood, menstrual blood may also vary and it should alert a woman. With the development of cervical cancer in menopausal women may appear spotting Spotting - it is important to rule out pathology   from the vagina. Pain can have a different character - from minor during intercourse to strong smack in the crotch and in the pelvic area.

Cervical cancer metastasizes to nearby lymph nodes, and in advanced stages and to distant organs.

With regular gynecological examination cervical cancer is detected in its early stages, as a result of the inspection is already gynecologist may suspect its beginning and assign the necessary clarifying diagnosis research. First of all, it is a colposcopy Colposcopy - how to prepare it properly?   - Study the surface of the cervix using a special optical device - a colposcope. With colposcopy surface of the cervix is ​​a bulging glassy areas covered knolls on which you can see blood vessels. Vasoconstrictor does not cause narrowing of blood vessels. Usually during colposcopy piece of tissue is taken for laboratory testing, which has definitively confirm or remove the diagnosis of cervical cancer.

The measures

Treatment of cervical cancer, as well as any other type of cancer should be complex. If no metastases to distant organs, the operation is performed hysterectomies Hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) - a terrible need   with appendages adjacent fatty tissue, nearby lymph nodes and part of the vagina.

Surgical treatment is necessarily combined with radiotherapy and chemotherapy - the use of drugs that suppress the development of malignant tumors. To suppress the activity of the human papilloma virus and strengthen the immune system Strengthening the immune system - help the immune system   appointed drugs such as interferon.

At advanced stages of the disease when there is metastasis to distant organs, applies only radiotherapy and chemotherapy, which, of course, greatly reduces a woman's chances of survival.

Result of treatment depend on the stage in which cancer was detected: the early stage well to treatment, while the later cured with difficulty.

Today, for the prevention of cervical cancer teenage girls introduced HPV vaccines (Cervarix, Gardasil).

Cervical cancer - this is one of the most common tumors in women, it must always be remembered, and regular visits to the gynecologist.

Galina Romanenko

Cancer of the thyroid gland and iodine

For the normal production of hormones that regulate metabolism Improves metabolism and losing weight without dieting , Thyroid The thyroid gland - is responsible for your hormones   needs iodine, which is supplied from the iron in the blood. In the thyroid gland from the blood flows like a normal iodine and radioactive iodine - and the children and adolescents in particular, the thyroid gland is particularly vulnerable to radiation Radiation and its biological effect: gently infected! . After any incident relating to the leakage of radioactive substances into the atmosphere radioactive iodine, which can enter the human body.

When absorbed by the thyroid gland of a large amount of radioactive iodine can develop cancer of the thyroid gland - even several years after exposure. At highest risk are young children and teens, and people older than 40 years, the risk of suffering from thyroid cancer is much less. Thyroid cancer - the only kind of the disease, which increases the chance of education after the release of radioactive substances into the atmosphere. Thyroid, the most vulnerable to the effects of radioactive iodine, potassium iodide protects.

What is potassium iodide?

Potassium iodide - a form of iodine is usually used for iodization of salt. Potassium iodide saturates the thyroid gland with iodine, preventing iron absorption of radioactive iodine from the blood. At the time of taking the drug protects the thyroid gland from exposure to radioactive iodine from all sources - air, food, water. Potassium iodide - a drug without a prescription, which can be purchased at most pharmacies. Potassium iodide is produced in the form of tablets or drops. Shelf life is at least 5 years, in most cases - up to 11 years. Potassium iodide, issued several years earlier, will not damage the body, although it would not operate as efficiently.

How effective is potassium iodide?

After the Chernobyl accident in 1986, the flow of air moved a radioactive cloud across Europe; according to conservative estimates, about 3 million people who received radiation dose over the next 10 years, suffered from thyroid cancer. Most of the victims were children and teenagers living on the territory of Ukraine, Belarus and Russia. The Government, which borders with Belarus and Ukraine, over the next three days after the accident at Chernobyl potassium iodide distributed among 95% of children, so that the population did not suffer from thyroid cancer.

Who should take potassium iodide?

Because young children and adolescents are at risk in the first place need to take potassium iodide to them. Furthermore, even with a small dose of potassium iodide needed for pregnant women. Adults - especially people over 40 - are not included in the main risk, but even in this case, the drug will not hurt. In addition to receiving potassium iodide, following a nuclear accident and the need to take other steps - in particular, to take refuge in an isolated room with closed doors and windows, to avoid eating contaminated food and water.

How should I take potassium iodide?

Potassium iodide acting in thyroid cells, prevents iron uptake of radioiodine from blood for 24 hours. During the period of exposure is necessary to take the drug on a daily basis, according to the instruction of local doctors. Not every leak of radioactive substances is accompanied by the release of radioactive iodine that can cause thyroid cancer. For example, an explosion so-called "dirty" bomb - bomb, which are used for the manufacture of conventional explosives with a small amount of radioactive isotopes - not accompanied by the release of radioactive iodine into the atmosphere. In each case the emission into the atmosphere of radioactive iodine to pinpoint the local health authorities.

Potassium iodide: contraindications and side effects

Millions of people have used potassium iodide in the leakage of radioactive substances, but only in rare cases have been reported serious side effects. The only category of people who receive potassium iodide is contraindicated - they are people who are allergic to iodine. If leakage of radioactive material benefits of potassium iodide outweigh any potential risk. People over 40 years of potassium iodide is not needed - at least as long as they are not exposed to high levels of radiation.

Patients suffering from various diseases of the thyroid gland, can take potassium iodide in doses recommended by doctors. In some cases, long-term treatment with the drug can cause a temporary loss of function of the thyroid gland (hypothyroidism). The duration of intake of potassium iodide is determined individually. In addition, prolonged intake of potassium iodide can cause health problems in young children - in this case should immediately consult a doctor.

How dangerous is thyroid cancer?

In 90% of cases of thyroid cancer Thyroid cancer: it is curable   It is not fatal, but patients who have successfully completed the course of treatment, may later be faced with the reappearance of thyroid cancer. Even people faced with radioactive radiation in Chernobyl, however, not affected by thyroid cancer remain at risk for life and must undergo regular medical examinations.