Newly Diagnosed With Cervical Cancer
What is cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer begins in the cervix, which connects the vagina and the uterus. Long-term infection with high-risk HPV is the main cause of cervical cancer. When high-risk HPV infections persist, this can cause normal cervical cells to change and become abnormal, and they may develop into cancer over time. That said, this abnormal tissue can be detected through screening and therefore removed before it has the chance to become cancer.
There are two main types of cervical cancer:
- Squamous cell carcinomas are the most common type. They account for 70-80% of all cervical cancers. These cancers develop from cells on the exocervix, and begin in the transformation zone (where the opening of the cervix and outer part of the cervix meet).
- Adenocarcinomas are the second most common type. These cancers develop from mucus-producing (glandular) cells in the endocervix (inner part of the cervix).
Cervical cancer is most commonly diagnosed in women between the ages of 35-44, and the median age at diagnosis is 50.
When cervical cancer is found earlier, there is a better chance of survival five years after diagnosis. The five-year relative survival rate for cervical cancer is 66%. Forty-four percent of cervical cancers are diagnosed at the local stage (cancer is confined to the cervix), and the five-year relative survival rate for localized cervical cancer is 93%. However, the five-year relative survival rate for regional (cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes) cervical cancer is 58% and for distant (cancer has metastasized) cervical cancer is 18%.
In the United States:
- 14,600 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed each year
- 4,280 women die from cervical cancer each year
- 292,00 women are currently living with cervical cancer
- Cervical cancer represents 0.8% of all new cancer cases, making it relatively rare compared to other types of cancer.
Diagnosis
How is cervical cancer diagnosed?
- Colposcopy - a special magnifying instrument that is used to look for abnormal cells.
- Cervical biopsy - small samples of tissue are pinched from the cervix for closer examination.
- Endocervical curettage - a spoon shaped instrument is used to scrape a tissue sample from the lining of the cervix for closer examination.
- LEEP - a thin, low-voltage electrified loop is used to get a small tissue sample. This procedure is generally performed under local anesthesia at a doctor’s office.
- Cone biopsy (conization) - a procedure where deeper layers of cervical cells are gathered for laboratory testing. This procedure may be performed in a hospital under general anesthesia.
- X-ray - this is used to determine if the cancer has spread.
- CT scan - used to obtain detailed images to identify the severity of the cancer.
- MRI - a scan used to identify the extent of the spread.
Receiving a cancer diagnosis is never easy, but we are here to support you and help you navigate this experience.
When attending your medical appointments, it is a good idea to be prepared with a list of questions and take notes, or have someone with you who can help with questions and notetaking. Emotions are likely running high, so it may be hard to retain all of the information that is provided by your doctor. You should also bring a list of medications, any biopsies you’ve had, and your medical information/history.
Throughout your diagnosis and treatment, it is a good idea to consider seeking a second opinion.
Stages & Grades
When determining the stage of cervical cancer, a doctor is likely to consider three key questions:
- How far has the cancer grown into the cervix?
- Has the cancer reached nearby surfaces?
- Has the cancer spread to nearby lymph nodes or to distant organs?
The stage is particularly important for deciding how best to treat the cancer.
For more information about the specific stages and grades of cervical cancer, please refer to the American Cancer Society’s categorization chart.
Disparities
When it comes to cervical cancer there are significant racial and ethnic disparities that exist in the United States. Black and Hispanic women have a higher incidence of cervical cancer compared to women of other racial/ethnic groups, with the greatest number of new cases being diagnosed among Hispanic women. Additionally, Black women have the highest mortality from the disease and are 80% more likely to die from cervical cancer than White women.
A variety of factors contribute to these disparities, such as access to cervical cancer screening, discrepancies in the care provided and treatment received, and differences in tumor histology. Because regular and timely screening can detect preclinical cervical lesions and early stage cancer, access to screening services and follow-up of abnormal test results can affect stage at diagnosis and overall cervical cancer incidence. So, ensuring adequate access to cervical cancer screening and preventative care remains essential. Also, creating awareness of and access to the HPV vaccine will play an important role in combating these disparities.
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