Cervical Cancer

Anytime you hear the word cancer your heart stops. About 3 years ago after having my daughter, I went into the doctor's office for a regular post-pregnancy exam. A few days later I'm called by my doctor to come in and discuss my results. He informed me that my PAP test came back abnormal and that he thought it could be cervical cancer. He offered a few suggestions. Get a cone biopsy or wait 6 months and get another PAP test. I decided I needed more information on what exactally cervical cancer was, so I headed to my local library. Listed below is everything that I wrote down from the books I read. I'm sorry I didn't write down the names of the books. I just decided to copy my notes onto here in hopes that it will help someone else.

What is cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer is when abnormal cells on the cervix grow out of control.

What is the cause of this cancer?

Most cases are caused by HPV (human papillomavirus). You get HPV by having sex with someone who has the virus. There are several other factors that can cause cervical cancer such as: having HIV, using birth control pills for more than 5 years, smoking, being around smoke (second hand smoke), having a history of smoking, also pregnant women have the same risk of developing this than non-pregnant women. Some types of HPV cause gential warts.

Are there any symptoms?

A change in menstral cycle that can't be explained

Bleeding during or after sex

Pain during sex

A discharge that is tinted with blood

What is the treatment for cervical cancer?

Hysterectomy with the removal of the pelvic lymph nodes and with or without the removal of both ovaries and fallopian tubes

Radiation

Chemotherapy

Caught early cervical cancer can be cured. If caught very early it is possible to still have children after treatment.

After I did this research I decided to wait the 6 months and have another test. It came back normal. Just because my second test came back normal doesn't mean everyones will. If I had to go back and do it all again, I would have taken my doctors advice and had more tests done. Always remember to go once a year for your PAP test.