Cervical Cancer is frightening because it’s prevalent (the third most common gynecological cancer in the U.S.), and because it often doesn’t show symptoms and can go undetected without regular testing. But the good new is this: when Pap tests are used regularly, changes in the cervix can be found before cancer develops, or cancer can be detected in the most curable stage.
 
Unfortunately, nearly 4,000 American women die each year from Cervical Cancer, but with early diagnosis and treatment, this statistic can change!
 
As you may have read already, 80 to 90% of Cervical Cancers are squamous cell carcinomas, while 10 to 20% are adenocarcinomas—often a more aggressive and severe form of cancer. Adenocarcinomas are becoming more common in women who were born in the last 20 to 30 years. With this in mind, it’s more important than ever for all women to do what they can to protect themselves from Cervical Cancer with regular screenings.
 
Know your options
Making the commitment to yourself to have regular Pap smears to screen for any changes in your cervix is a great step. Of course, the earlier abnormal cells are detected, the better, so that treatment can begin. The treatment that your doctor chooses will depend mostly on what “stage” the cancer is. After the precancer or cancer is staged, your doctor and you can discuss your choices for treatment, which may include:

	LEEP—a thin wire loop is used to remove the abnormal portions of the cervix
	Cyrosurgery—a procedure used for treating preinvasive cancer of the cervix, but not for invasive cancer
	Laser surgery—a laser beam is used to burn off cells or a small piece of tissue for study; this is also used for preinvasive Cervical Cancer only
	Cone biopsy—a cone-shaped piece of tissue is removed from the cervix
	Simple hysterectomy—the uterus is removed, but not the tissue next to the uterus
	Radical hysterectomy—the uterus is removed as well as tissues next to the uterus, the upper part of the vagina, and lymph nodes from the pelvis
	Radiation—a treatment with high-energy rays (such as x-rays) to kill or shrink cancer cells
	Chemotherapy—the use of drugs to kill cancer cells; usually these drugs are injected into a vein or taken by mouth

Balancing the risks and benefits
Determining what treatment is right for you depends on balancing the risks and benefits of each treatment option for your individual situation. For example, if your doctor recommends a hysterectomy, you should know that you will not be able to have children following this procedure. Likewise, radiation therapy can cause early menopause with its associated symptoms. Knowing the stage of Cervical Cancer and the benefits and risks of each treatment can help you work with your doctor to make decisions that are right for you.
 
Staying active to stay healthy
Clearly, getting regular Pap tests is essential to helping detect abnormal cells early, so if necessary, you can get the treatment you need with as little long-term impact on your life as possible. By doing all that you are now—learning about Cervical Cancer and the options available to you—you’re already showing that you want to take an active role in your own health. So keep it up! When it comes to Cervical Cancer, getting an early diagnosis can help prevent treatment consequences like infertility and, worse, the risk of dying if Cervical Cancer is left untreated.