institute for cancer research

Helpful Info about Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that is one of the most preventable ones from spiralling out of control because cervical cancer can take years to become serious. Cancer cells in the cervix show a pre-cancerous state that’s easily read in a pap smear so that cervical cancer treatment can happen and be effective before it becomes extremely serious or spreads to other areas of the body.

Many women who find out about this cancer through early detection in a pap smear can work with their doctor to devise a cervical cancer treatment plan and can have great success rates. Many factors will need to be taken into consideration to determine the right cervical cancer treatment but the key to recovery is early detection.

Today, there are many cervical cancer treatment options that are looked at based on the woman’s overall health, her reproductive status which includes her desire to have more children if she is of child bearing age as well as how serious the cancer is. The longer cervical cancer goes untreated, the more chances of it spreading to the uterus and to other organs.

Most cancers of the cervix are called Squamous cell carcinomas. A much lower amount is called adenocarcinomas.  Cancer of the cervix can be caused by many factors including a virus called HPV (human papilloma virus) which can occur after a woman becomes sexually active via sexually transmitted genital warts as well as via other factors including smoking, heredity and immune deficiencies.

There are several signs and symptoms of cancer of this type but many women have no symptoms at all until the disease is at an advanced stage which makes cervical cancer treatment options less likely to work. The best way to determine whether you have this type of cancer or are at risk for developing it is by having an annual pap smear and pelvic exam.

Cervical cancer treatment options can include several treatments either alone or in combination with one another including: radiation, hysterectomy, a procedure that is known as the LEEP procedure, anti-cancer drugs, chemotherapy or conation which is a procedure that removes part of the tissue for biopsy purposes. There are also cervical cancer treatment options that include the use of CAAT (Controlled Amino Acid Therapy) which starves the cancer cells of proteins and carbohydrates the cervical cancer cells need in order to multiply and survive.

© 2005 - Cancer Treatment - Prevention - Research - A.P.John Cancer Institute
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