Cervical cancer

For a lay person:

Cervical cancer starts in the cells of the cervix, the neck of the womb. Most cases are caused by long-lasting infection with high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV), and screening and HPV vaccination prevent many cases. Early stages often have no symptoms, while later stages can cause abnormal bleeding.

For a trained medical person:

Squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma of the cervix arising from persistent high-risk HPV infection through precancerous intraepithelial neoplasia. Diagnosis is by colposcopy and biopsy after abnormal screening or symptoms, with MRI and other imaging for staging. Early disease is treated surgically; locally advanced disease with chemoradiotherapy, and systemic therapy for metastatic disease.

In Chinese medicine:

Liu and Tseng's textbook differentiates this condition into these patterns: Liver Qi Stagnation; Damp-Heat Stasis Toxins; Liver and Kidney Yin Deficiency; Spleen and Kidney Yang Deficiency. Treatment follows the pattern a patient presents with, not the Western diagnosis alone.

When to get help: This needs specialist gynaecological oncology care; Chinese medicine is adjunctive at most. See a doctor promptly for bleeding after sex, between periods or after menopause, keep up cervical screening, and tell your team about any herbs during chemotherapy or radiotherapy.