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Daily Tip:
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Your doctor may ask that the test be repeated after a few weeks. Often, results are normal the second time. Other results need to be checked more thoroughly. If your doctor suspects abnormal cells or a tumour, the next step is usually colposcopy. This is similar to a standard gynecologic examination, except it's performed with a special microscope that shines a light on your cervix so the doctor can see it better, and dye is put on the cervix to highlight the abnormalities. If there are lesions in the wall of the cervix that could be abnormal cells or a tumour, a biopsy (tissue sample) will be needed. There are different types of biopsy procedures. Your doctor will advise which is the most suitable for your specific case. Small cancers can actually be removed entirely with these techniques. Sometimes, following colposcopy, women are told that they had cancer and that it's been removed. In most of these cases, no further |
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"It's important to know that condoms only protect the areas that they cover. Since condoms do not cover all areas that may touch during sexual activity, HPV can still be spread by skin-to-skin contact even when someone is wearing a condom"
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treatment is necessary. The same outpatient procedures (i.e., no hospitalization involved) can remove abnormal cells. At the moment, many countries recommend Pap smear testing every 1 to 3 years for all women who have ever been sexually active. Specialist groups like the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Gynecologic Oncologists state that this isn't frequent enough and recommend annual testing. Ask your doctor how often you should be tested in light of your particular circumstances. How to treat and prevent cervical cancer: Cervical cancers that are detected early enough - as most are nowadays - can be removed by surgery. The cure rate is very high, and only a small minority of cancers return after treatment. Nevertheless, a woman can expect to be monitored closely after successful treatment to make sure that the cancer is gone for good. With larger cancers, more tissue must be removed. A tumour that's spread into the wall of the cervix usually requires hysterectomy (removal of the uterus).Small tumours can be treated with extrafascial hysterectomy, leaving some of the uterus (womb) intact. Somewhat larger tumours require radical hysterectomy, the complete removal of the uterus and cervix. If cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes (a network of kidney-bean-shaped immune organs spread throughout the body), the affected nodes must be removed as well. With more advanced tumours, doctors often recommend radiation therapy after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells. Unfortunately, radiation can cause stenosis (closing) and dryness of the vagina. Regular stretching with a special device known as a dilator can help prevent vaginal stenosis. This can be done at home. Very advanced or widespread tumours are often treated with radiation. In fact, cervical cancer can be cured by radiation alone, even when the tumour has spread. In a few cases, the cancer has spread widely in the pelvis (i.e., to the bladder and rectum) but hasn't reached the lungs or other organs. Radiation therapy is usually tried first, but if this doesn't work, a surgical procedure called exenteration may be effective. Exenteration |
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is a procedure in which all of the pelvic organs are removed, and the organs are replaced by artificial devices and grafts of the person's own tissue. This radical technique produces cure rates of about 50%. The risk of cervical cancer can be greatly reduced if you avoid becoming infected with the papillomavirus: That said, the virus is a very common infection in both men and women, and only a very small percentage of infections cause any problems. Most people picked it up in adolescence or early adulthood, long before they or anyone else knew about its link to cervical cancer. If you aren't infected, you can help stay that way by practising safe sex: use condoms. However, it's important to know that condoms only protect the areas that they cover. Since condoms do not cover all areas that may touch during sexual activity, HPV can still be spread by skin-to-skin contact even when someone is wearing a condom. Nonetheless, since condoms cover most of the genital areas that are in contact during sex, they reduce the risk of HPV even if they don't prevent it completely. If you smoke, quitting will also improve your chances of avoiding cervical cancer. Another way to prevent cervical cancer is through vaccination: The world's first vaccination against HPV was approved in Canada and the United States in 2006. The vaccination provides protection from 4 different types of human papillomavirus. In studies, it has proven to be very highly effective in preventing infection with 4 types of HPV that cause genital warts, cervical cancer, precancers of the cervix, and cancers of the vulva and vagina. The vaccine is currently available for girls and women aged 9 to 26. Although the vaccine protects against future HPV infections, it does not affect existing infections in people with HPV. This means that girls who are not yet sexually active are the best candidates for the vaccine, since they have not yet been exposed to HPV. But women who are already sexually active can also benefit from the vaccine if they have not yet contracted HPV. The vaccination is given in 3 doses over a period of 6 months
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Author: Brian
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