Cervical cancer is commonly linked to old misconceptions about it causing fear and confusion with regard to women’s health issues. There are many who believe it is just about getting unlucky or getting the same genes passed onto you from your parents, like eye colour. HPV can lie dormant for years and eventually begin the process of altering cells in and around the cervix (the lower portion of the uterus where the uterus opens into the vagina) and the way they replicate. The HPV genome inserts into the DNA of cervical cells (sometimes referred to as "integration") and generally will remain inactive. However, there are times when the HPV genome and the cellular DNA combine, or "co-integrate," disrupting the cellular control mechanisms that keep abnormal cells from dividing. Specifically, HPV produces two major proteins, E6 and E7, that bind to the cellular tumour suppressor proteins (e.g. p53 or pRb) and keep them from working correctly. Ultimately, E6 and E7 drive malignant transformation by causing the continued division of cells that would otherwise not be allowed to continue to divide; thus accumulating the "boo-boo's," or "mistakes," that lead to cancer over time.

Are lots of partners a certain cause of cervical cancer? 

We, being one of the best cervical cancer treatment hospital in Delhi, believe that one should not believe that HPV virus can be caught only by individuals who have multiple sexual partners. The thing is that there are over 100 varieties of HPV viruses and approximately 75-80 percent of sexually active people will get into contact with any kind of HPV virus (even having 1 sexual partner). Most people are able to clear the virus from their system within 1-2 years post-infection. The problem occurs when a "high risk" strain of HPV is still in your system years after the initial infection. This way, the viral proteins that are linked to HPV still cause cellular destruction (E6 and E7) since they suppress or disrupt the cellular process of repairing DNA and also interrupting the cell cycle control (ie, cell division). 

Are all women who contract HPV at risk of developing cervical cancer?

Not inevitably; every woman who is diagnosed with cervical cancer has had innumerable instances of women who were diagnosed with an HPV infection being treated before being diagnosed with cervical cancer. Only after HPV infects a woman at the molecular level and becomes permanently integrated with the host's DNA does the risk of developing cervical cancer increase significantly. After the virus integrates into the host cell's DNA, it releases some control elements (i.e., the E2-gene), that normally keep the E6- and E7-gene products in check, and therefore the E6- and E7-gene products are unleashed. The E6- and E7-gene products cause the cell to neglect the stop signals, evade the cleanup crews, and generate bad/unstable DNA. This chaos causes selection of those cells that will divide faster and last longer, resulting in tumours eventually. But not every one of those cells is cancerous; some, however, might be and will be detected at a very early stage as such.

Is cervical cancer familial as is the case with many other cancers?

Broadly speaking, cervical cancer is mostly blamed on HPV and other types of cancer are normally hereditary as they are caused by a genetic defect that is inherited by parents to their children. Nevertheless, it is possible that it has some genetic variables that influence the capability of an individual to dispose of the HPV virus, but the HPV is the main cause of the malignancy. In addition, when a person develops cervical cancer their cells are not initially configured with cancer genes; rather the cancerogenic properties of the virus hijack the mechanistic regulation of the cells upon infection with HPV. Specifically, E6 and E7 proteins drive alterations that facilitate the destruction of p53 and the hostage taking of pRb, respectively, resulting in an unlimited number of times the cells are divided. Neither of these situations were present at conception, but during the course of the HPV infection, both will alter the cell's life substantially based on external forces.

Do genital warts cause cervical cancer?

HPV, or Human Papillomavirus, is caused by the low risk type and itself does not cause cancer. The high risk types of HPV do not have external evidence such as warts. The high risk types of HPV are also associated with changes in the cells that cannot be detected unless you have had a pap test. The reason for this is that warts are a result of a virus that only creates a slight excess of cells. 

Is no evidence of disease the same as being healthy?

Since many early changes remain "silent," cells are changing quietly, and the changes have occurred before there is bleeding or pain. This is why it is important to have routine screening- because it will identify abnormal cells before there is significant trouble. There is an initial period when HPV initiates a process that causes cells to increase in number (mitosis), through to the point where there is integration of the virus into the cellular DNA and therefore a significant level of confusion at the cellular level, but at first all of these changes occur without any warning signs (alarms) to the host.

Can the vaccine offer any benefit to older individuals?

The HPV vaccine can be of the greatest value when it is administered to children under the age of 10 because its purpose is to protect them against HPV strains they have not yet been exposed to. By producing a response (antibodies) prior to HPV infection, the vaccine can restrict entry of the HPV virus into the new host's cell and thus eliminate, or at least minimize the whole continuum of HPV events (e.g., no integration; no overproduction of E6/E7).

What is the significance of regular screening?

Screening will detect abnormal cells when they are easy to fix. If you are not having routine screening you may have cells that were abnormal due to a lingering HPV infection and now they have progressed. Knowledge of these issues allows an individual to make an informed decision to undergo a screening or receive the vaccine and have peace of mind regarding what they are doing to improve their health.

These ideas clear up confusion so folks focus on real prevention. Talk to a doctor for personal advice. Visit punarjanayanveda.com where plant wisdom from ages back lines up quietly with modern ways of healing.

REFERENCE LINKS:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12072022/

https://nusantics.com/en/blog/is-cervical-cancer-contagious-check-out-7-myths-about-cervical-cancer-here

https://www.nawcare.com/blog/myths-about-pap-smears

https://www.uchicagomedicineadventhealth.org/blog/6-cervical-cancer-myths

https://www.drkmh.com/blogs/debunking-common-myths-about-cervical-cancer/