In all aspects of her work, Dr. Hutcherson is committed to helping women gain a sense of confidence and self-esteem when it comes to their bodies. She works with young women and their mothers in an effort to help them communicate openly and honestly with each other and to build empowerment. As a doctor, a woman and co-director of the New York Center for Women’s Sexual Health, Dr. Hutcherson is a particularly strong advocate of educating women about Cervical Cancer. That’s why she’s our featured expert with answers to your questions about Cervical Cancer, from how you get it to how you can protect yourself against it and more. Read on to learn what you need to know about Cervical Cancer from a woman who knows!

	Education and risks
	Effects and treatments
	Information and prevention

		How old should I be when I start worrying about Cervical Cancer?
		All women are at risk from the time of adolescence throughout their lives. Educate yourself about Cervical Cancer today!
		What is the #1 question I should ask my ob/gyn?
		The most important question to ask your doctor is, “How can I protect myself against Cervical Cancer?” Every woman is at risk. Education about the cause, risks and prevention of Cervical Cancer is your best weapon. Your doctor is there to help you achieve and maintain optimal health. Don’t be afraid or embarrassed to ask important questions.
		Does Cervical Cancer have symptoms? Will I know if I have it?
		Most of the time, Cervical Cancer does not have symptoms. And that is why it’s important to have a yearly visit to your healthcare provider for a Pap smear. When Cervical Cancer becomes advanced or spreads, it may cause unusual vaginal bleeding and pelvic pain. It is important to have a yearly checkup, and call your doctor for any unusual or heavy vaginal bleeding or pain.
		What information is important for me to tell my ob/gyn?
		It is important to have a frank and honest discussion with your doctor about your risks for Cervical Cancer. This is not the time to be shy or embarrassed. Many women worry that they may be taking too much of the doctor’s time with questions. But the doctor’s answers to those questions may save your life. Take the time. You deserve it.
		Why is the Pap test so important?
		The Pap smear is a test that looks for changes in the cells of the cervix that may be cancer or may lead to cancer. It is important to have a Pap test every year. Yearly Pap smears increase the chance that abnormal cells will be detected, and treated, before they become cancer.
		Are abnormal cells found in a Pap smear a bad sign?
		Abnormal cells may be caused by something as benign as an infection with bacteria or yeast. If you are found to have abnormal cells on your Pap smear, it is important to have follow-up visits with your doctor. For many young women, the abnormality will resolve on its own, but some will not resolve and may progress to Cervical Cancer.
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		How many women are diagnosed every year in the U.S. and what percent die?
		An estimated 10,000 women are diagnosed with Cervical Cancer each year and about 4,000 die.
		Once you have Cervical Cancer, how is it treated?
		The most common treatment for Cervical Cancer is surgery. Hysterectomy, or the removal of your cervix and uterus, may be necessary. Pregnancy and childbirth are not possible after a hysterectomy. If the cancer is advanced or has spread, you may need radiation instead of, or in addition to, surgery. And occasionally, chemotherapy is necessary. All of these treatments have serious and unpleasant consequences, so the goal is to prevent Cervical Cancer in the first place.
		How does Cervical Cancer affect women if untreated?
		Cervical Cancer occurs when cells on the cervix, the lower part of the uterus, become abnormal and undergo a malignant change. Cervical Cancer is most commonly treated with surgery. If the diagnosis is not made in a timely fashion, the cancer, untreated, may advance and spread to other parts of your body. Once the cancer spreads, it is very difficult to treat and may be fatal.
		What are the serious consequences of Cervical Cancer treatments?
		Most Cervical Cancer treatments cause the loss of your ability to have children. Scarring of your pelvic and lower abdominal organs after surgery or radiation may cause pain or problems with urination and bowel function.
		If no one in my family has had Cervical Cancer, does that mean I probably won’t get it?
		Cervical Cancer is not hereditary. That means that it does not run in families, and you can develop it even if no one else in your family has ever had Cervical Cancer.
		I have heard that the same virus that causes Genital Warts causes Cervical Cancer. Is this true?
		The virus is called human papillomavirus. There are more than 100 types of HPV. Some of these viruses are considered low risk and only cause genital warts or may have no symptoms at all. Others are high risk and may cause precancerous changes in the cervical cells or Cervical Cancer. Genital warts are a nuisance, but do not become cancer. So, as physicians, we are much more concerned about the high-risk group of human papillomaviruses that can cause cancer.
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		Why have I not heard about Cervical Cancer from friends and family?
		Cancer is not a topic that is easy to discuss. And many of us avoid talking about it. But this is not something to be embarrassed about. It is important that we take this issue out of the closet. It is just too important. By talking openly about Cervical Cancer, you may save someone’s life.
		What is the most shocking thing patients should know about Cervical Cancer?
		We often think of cancer as a disease of older women. The average age of women diagnosed with Cervical Cancer is 47 years of age. However, half of the women diagnosed with Cervical Cancer are under the age of 35. It is recommended that women have the first Pap smear 3 years after first intercourse or at age 21.
		What is your patients’ most common concern? What do you think it should be?
		For young women, it is most commonly the need for birth control that drives the visit to the obstetrician/gynecologist. Cancer is often not high on the list of concerns. Because cancer can affect any of us, it is important to make cancer screening and prevention an important part of your routine yearly healthcare.
		As an ob/gyn, what do you see as the biggest problem your female patients face?
		One of the biggest problems that I see in my patients is lowered self-esteem. Many young women are not happy with their bodies. And almost everyone can identify at least one part of her body that she wishes were different. When you don’t feel good about yourself, it is easy to put your healthcare on the back burner. Sometimes you are too embarrassed to go to the doctor, especially the gynecologist where you have to take off all of your clothes! When you value yourself, you are more likely to get the exams, tests, and care that you need. You are also more likely to speak with your doctor and demand that you receive the very best care. You are more likely to do research to find out exactly what you should expect from your healthcare provider.
		Have you given advice for young women that they can share with friends?
		If you are concerned about a friend, share your knowledge. Seek information from reputable Web sites, print the information and suggest that your friend read it, or better yet, read it with her. Share your own personal stories with your friend. Now is not a time to be embarrassed. Volunteer to go to the doctor with your friend.
		What steps can I take to ensure my long-term health and well-being?
		You must act as your own best friend. That means educating yourself as much as possible about the risks of Cervical Cancer and how to protect yourself long-term from the disease. Seek reputable Web sources and speak with your healthcare provider.
		If I have been diagnosed with Cervical Cancer, what am I facing; what will happen in the next few weeks?
		The diagnosis of Cervical Cancer can be devastating. The first few weeks after the diagnosis will be difficult physically and emotionally. There are many examinations and tests that will be done immediately to determine whether the disease is advanced or has spread beyond the cervix. You may have blood tests, x-rays and procedures to look inside your bladder and colon. Once the extent of the disease is known, the doctor will determine the best treatment. The treatment may include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy or a combination of these therapies.
		For your patients who have been diagnosed with Cervical Cancer, what do they say is the most devastating impact of the disease?
		For young women, the most devastating aspect of Cervical Cancer treatment is most commonly the loss of the ability to become pregnant and give birth. And often the treatment can cause side effects that affect quality of life in a negative way.
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