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Health & Fitness

Schedule a Screening in Honor of National Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

By Marlan Schwartz, M.D., FACOG, robotic surgeon and chief of OB/GYN at Somerset Medical Center

In honor of January being National Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, there is no better time than now to take a leading role in your health, beginning with a cervical cancer screening. Simply knowing that this disease exists is not enough, but with education and prevention you will be at far less a risk of having this cancer develop to an unmanageable state.

Although this is a delicate subject, it is essential to take action when it comes to cervical cancer and your overall health.

Historically, cervical cancer had always been one of the most common causes of death for American women. However, over the past few decades the cervical cancer survival rate has increased significantly, largely due to the routine use of the Papanicolaou (Pap) Test, a screening procedure that can detect changes in the cervix before cancer develops. This test can also find cervical cancer early while in its most treatable and curable stages. 

The importance of getting screened is greater than ever, being that half of cervical cancers occur among women who have rarely or never been screened for cancer. When cervical cancer is found early, it is highly treatable and associated with a long survival and good quality of life. Listed below, please find some information to increase your awareness on the steps from the initial screening, through diagnosis and treatment options.

• The initial screening. The Pap test (or Pap smear) is a screening test that looks for pre-cancers and abnormal cell changes on the cervix. This type of screening is recommended for all women, starting at the age of 21, regardless of sexual activity. The frequency of re-testing is evolving and is dependent upon your age and findings. Additionally, it is recommended that women receive the HPV test, starting at age 30, which checks for the virus that is responsible for the vast majority of abnormal Pap smears and cervical abnormalities. The HPV test helps your physician find suspicious changes and helps prevent cancer from developing.

 • Abnormalities. Some women will receive Pap smear results saying that the smear is abnormal or unsatisfactory. Unsatisfactory smears, usually due to a lack of cells, will need to be repeated. Abnormal Pap smears are typically due to the HPV virus, which affects approximately 80% of women. Follow up will depend upon the findings and your age. If you have a Pap result with atypical cells, or low or high grade dysplasia (mild and high grade abnormalities in the cervix) you may need a colposcopy. This is a minor procedure that is performed in the office that allows your doctor to see your cervix with a microscope and, if needed, biopsy the abnormal appearing cells.

 • Follow-up appointments. Following up with your doctor after having an abnormal Pap or colposcopy is extremely important. In some cases, further treatment may be needed to eradicate/remove the abnormal (dysplasia) area. Many doctors do this in the office as well. It will be recommended that you have repeat Paps more often than usual for a period of time to monitor you for any further changes. 

• Diagnosis. With regular screening, cancer is rare. However, if a biopsy shows that cancer is present, your doctor may order additional tests to see if the cancer has spread, which may include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scans.

• Treatment options. As with most cancers, treating cervical cancer depends on the individual. Each case is different and treatment options vary depending on the stage of the disease, its size, depth of invasion, and how far it has spread. Common types of treatments include surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. In addition, one of newest treatments for cervical cancer that is the result of technological development is robotic surgery, a minimally-invasive, safe, procedure with 3-dimensional view and improved surgical dexterity that can be used in the surgical treatment of many gynecological health issues. It is important to discuss all of your treatment options, including your goals and possible side effects, with your doctors to help make the decision that best suits your personal needs. It’s also very important to ask questions if there is anything you are unsure about. 

By scheduling that first early detection screening, you are making a significant investment in your overall health. Staying informed and aware of all female cancers, including cervical cancer, could help you or a loved one detect and/or overcome this potentially deadly disease. I urge you to start a dialogue with your doctor and receive all recommended screenings and vaccinations, especially during National Cervical Cancer Awareness Month Marlan Schwartz, M.D., FACOG, is a robotic surgeon and chief of OB/GYN at Somerset Medical Center. 

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