There are several different cervical cancer treatments available to improve a woman's chances for survival. Cervical cancer is a condition that impacts the reproductive organs in a woman's body. Cervical cancer causes include having multiple sexual partners, sexually transmitted diseases, having sex at a very young age, smoking, and having a compromised immune system. One of the leading cervical cancer causes is the human papillomavirus (HPV).
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the best way to detect the presence of the HPV virus is through a pap smear test. Women can also be proactive by having being aware of the cervical cancer symptoms. They include vaginal bleeding that occurs between periods, after sex, or after menopause, bloody vaginal discharge, or pain in the pelvis following intercourse. Anyone who is experiencing cervical cancer symptoms should see a physician.
The cervical cancer prognosis is much better than it was many years ago. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and The National Institutes of Health have implemented a number of public awareness programs which have lead to more women getting screened. Women should consult a physician to find out how often they need a pap smear test.
Surgery
Some women who have cervical cancer will undergo a hysterectomy, which is the removal of the uterus and cervix. According to Mayo clinic, this particular cervical cancer treatment is only used when the condition is in the early stages. If the cancer is present in a section smaller than 3 millimeters of the cervix, a simple hysterectomy will be performed. Radical hysterectomies are performed if the cancerous region is larger.
A radical hysterectomy involves removing the uterus, cervix, sections of the vagina, and nearby lymph nodes. A hysterectomy can improve the cervical cancer prognosis for a patient because this procedure eliminates the cancer and keeps the disease from returning. A patient may experience side effects after a hysterectomy. They include having difficulty with urination and bowel movements, and pelvic pain.
Chemotherapy & Radiation
Chemotherapy is another cervical cancer treatment. It involves the use of medications to destroy cancer cells. Patients typically receive these medications intravenously. The medicine then spreads throughout the body and stops the rapidly growing cancer cells. Chemotherapy is sometimes used in combination with radiation in order to enhance its effectiveness.
Radiation therapy eliminates cancer cells through the use of potent energy. Patients can receive this cervical cancer treatment externally or internally. If the treatment is given externally, doctors will give the patient radiation using an external beam. Internal radiation therapy involves putting devices containing radioactive material near the patient's cervix. Radiation therapy is effective in treating early cancers. Women with more advanced cancer usually receive both chemotherapy and radiation.
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