Diagnosis and Treatments for Cervical Cancer

The Virginia G. Piper Cancer Care Network and AZCCC are devoted to fighting cervical cancer. Public awareness for early screening increases the success of cancer treatment and even prevention. Cervical Cancer was once a leading cause of cancer death for women in the United States. Today, screening and prevention have greatly reduced the impact of this form of cancer. Still, more than 13,500 women in the United States receive a diagnosis of cervical cancer and according to the National Cancer Institute, more than 4,200 die from cervical cancer each year.

Increasing screening and prevention are key components of the effort to eradicate cervical cancer. Since almost all cases of the disease are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), vaccines that protect against the virus could prevent the vast majority of cases. Moreover, regular Pap tests can catch – and lead to treatment of – the disease at the precancerous stage.

What is Cervical Cancer?

Cervical cancer is a disease in which cancer cells arise in the cervix, which connects the uterus to the vagina. Usually cervical cancer develops slowly over time, and a powerful preventive measure is a Pap test screening, a procedure during which cells are collected from the surface of the cervix and examined. The Pap test can both detect cancer at an early stage, when treatment outcomes tend to be better, and detect precancerous abnormalities, which can then be treated to prevent them from developing into cancers.

Treating Cervical Cancer

If you’ve been diagnosed with cervical cancer, your cancer care team will talk with you about treatment options. In choosing your treatment plan, you and your cancer care team will also take into account your age, your overall health, and your personal preferences. Depending on the type and stage of your cancer, you may need more than one type of treatment. For the earliest stages of cervical cancer, either surgery or radiation combined with chemotherapy may be used. For later stages, radiation combined with chemotherapy is usually the main treatment. Chemotherapy (by itself) is often used to treat advanced cervical cancer. Newer techniques with immunotherapy and targeted therapies have really helped many with advanced cancer so they can live longer more fuller lives. 

People with cancer need support and information, no matter what stage of illness they may be in. Knowing all of your options and finding the resources you need will help you make informed decisions about your care. Whether you are thinking about treatment, getting treatment, or not being treated at all, you can still get supportive care to help with pain or other symptoms. Communicating with your cancer care team is important so you understand your diagnosis, what treatment is recommended, and ways to maintain or improve your quality of life.

About AZCCC

Arizona Center for Cancer Care provides multi-specialty treatment to more than 30,000 cancer patients across the Valley and understands the importance of serving the entire family. Arizona Center for Cancer Care’s mission is to provide the highest quality cancer treatment in Arizona. At AZCCC, patients can depend on the very best doctors and staffs for cancer care. AZCCC is a cancer center without walls with services stretching across the Valley and beyond.

Arizona Center for Cancer Care is here for you and for your family. For more info please go to https://arizonaccc.com/contact-us/