the cervix uteri or cervical area. It may present with vaginal bleeding but symptoms may be absent until the cancer is in its advanced stages. Treatment consists of surgery (including local excision) in early stages and chemotherapy and radiotherapy in advanced stages of the disease. Illustration of the cancerous area Symptoms • The early stages of cervical cancer may be completely asymptomatic. Vaginal Bleeding, contact bleeding or (rarely) a vaginal mass may indicate the presence of malignancy. Also, moderate pain during sexual intercourse and vaginal discharge are symptoms of cervical cancer. In advanced disease, metastases may be present in the abdomen, lungs or elsewhere. • Symptoms of advanced cervical cancer may include: loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue, pelvic pain, back pain, leg pain, single swollen leg, heavy bleeding from the vagina, leaking of urine or feces from the vagina, and bone fractures. Prevention • Awareness: according to recent studies, it is revealed that lesser than 40% women are aware of Cervical Cancer, while doctors claim that early diagnosis can prevent complications. • Screening: The widespread introduction of the Pap smear test for cervical cancer screening has been credited with dramatically reducing the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer in developed countries. Abnormal Pap smear results may suggest the presence of potentially premalignant changes in the cervix before a cancer has developed, allowing examination and possible preventive treatment. Recommendations for how often a Pap smear should be done vary from once a year to once every five years. • Vaccination: There are drugs available in the market which help against Cervical Cancer, namely: Gardasil & Cervarix, however, while the former is 98% effective the later follows closely with a 92% effectiveness. Prevention • Condoms: Condoms offer some protection against cervical cancer. Evidence on whether condoms protect against HPV infection is mixed, but they do provide protection against genital warts and the precursors to cervical cancer. • Smoking Avoidance: Carcinogens from tobacco increase the risk for many cancer types, including cervical cancer, and women who smoke have about double the chance of a non-smoker to develop cervical cancer. • Nutrition: Higher levels of vegetable consumption were associated with a 54% decrease risk of HPV persistence. Consumption of papaya at least once a week was inversely associated with persistent HPV infection. Vitamins A,C & E also aid in reducing risks leading to Cervical Cancer. Folic Acid & Carotenoids to reduce the risk to a certain extent