Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in a woman's cervix, which is located at the lower part of the uterus and in the back of the vagina. The cause of this type of cancer is directly related to the HPV virus. Cervical cancer treatment is available at our OBGYN office.
While the immune system of many women will prevent this virus from giving them cancer, the immune system of some women is not able to protect them from the virus, which can live in their bodies for years. This makes it essential for every woman to make regular appointments with a medical professional for screening tests, as the sooner cancer cells are detected, the higher the chances of successful treatment.
According to the Mayo Clinic, you can reduce your risk of developing cervical cancer by receiving a vaccine that protects against HPV infection.
Signs of cervical cancer
Any signs and symptoms of cervical cancer tend to show up in its later stages, another reason for early intervention. Some of the more common signs and symptoms associated with cervical cancer include:
- Experiencing discomfort or pain during sexual intercourse
- Experiencing unusual vaginal bleeding, i.e. between periods, after menopause, after sexual intercourse
- Experiencing pelvic pain for no apparent reason
- Having a vaginal discharge that is watery, bloody, heavy or foul smelling or a combination of one or more of these symptoms
When a woman is diagnosed with ovarian cancer she will need to choose one or more treatment options. A cancer diagnosis can be a life-changing event and for that reason, a woman who is diagnosed will choose to undergo a procedure to remove the cancer from her body. The goal is to remove all of the cancer so she can once again be healthy and accordingly resume her normal life.
Cervical cancer treatment options
In order for a medical professional to know which treatment option they should recommend for a woman diagnosed with cervical cancer, they will first need to know the stage of the cancer as well as any other health problems she may currently have.
Common treatment options include:
- Surgery: Surgical treatment options include a simple hysterectomy or a radical hysterectomy
- Radiation: Radiation therapy can be given externally, internally or a combination of both treatment options
- Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy requires medications to be injected into the body to kill the cancer cells
Preparation for a first appointment
The more information a woman can give her medical professional when she comes in for her first appointment for an evaluation, the better. Examples of beneficial information include writing down everything related to her symptoms, any medications she is currently taking and any health issues she is currently living with. She should also be prepared to answer any questions about her sexual activity since this is how the HPV virus is spread.
Do you need cervical cancer treatment?
Wondering if you are in need of cervical cancer treatment? If you are experiencing any of the above signs or symptoms associated with cancer of the cervix or have not had your annual pap smear performed in more than a year, then today is the day you need to make an appointment with our OBGYN office. The longer you wait, the more difficult it is going to be to treat any health problems you may currently have, which is why early intervention is so important. Give yourself the peace of mind you deserve by making an appointment today.
