Thirteen Things ~ Cervical Cancer

Thirteen Things about Cervical Cancer Cervical cancer is cancer of the cervix, the lower narrow part of the uterus (womb). Cervical cancer is a disease that can be very serious; however, it is one that you can help prevent. Usually it takes several years for normal cells in the cervix to change into cancer cells, but sometimes it can happen in a very short period of time. Cervical pre-cancers and early cancers usually show no symptoms or signs. According to the National Cancer Institute, strong risk factors include: women whose mothers were given the drug Diethylstilbestrol (DES) during pregnancy to prevent miscarriage. Cervical cancer can usually be found early by having regular Pap tests. Women should have regular checkups, including a pelvic exam and a Pap test. If the Pap test is abnormal, procedures may need to be done for further diagnosis: Colposcopy: the doctor applies a vinegar-like solution to the cervix and using a colposcope looks closely at the cervix. Biopsy: the doctor removes tissue to look for precancerous cells or cancer cells. Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP): the doctor uses an electric wire loop to shave off a thin, round piece of tissue. How is cervical cancer treated? The choice of treatment depends on the location and size of the tumor, the stage (extent) of the disease, the woman's age, general health and other factors. Most often, the treatment involves surgery and radiation therapy. Surgery may involve removing the tissue in or near the cervix, the cervix or the entire uterus (hysterectomy). Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to damage cancer cells and stop them from growing. Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. It is most often used when cervical cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Biological therapy is treatment using substances to improve the way the body's immune system fights disease, and it may be used to treat cancer that has spread from the cervix to other parts of the body.