Cervical Cancer Q&A

As reported in St. Louis Magazine's "Ask the Doctor"
January 2008

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, and St. John’s Mercy is taking this opportunity to provide women with information about this prevalent disease and its risk factors. The following questions were answered by Nick Chobanian, M.D., of St. John's Mercy David C. Pratt Cancer Center.

Q: What is cervical cancer?

A: Cervical cancer is an abnormal growth of cells that starts on surface of the cervix (the entrance to the uterus) and then spreads deeper into the cervix or to other tissues and organs. It is usually a slow-growing type of cancer, though some forms can develop more rapidly.

Q: How common is cervical cancer?

A: Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers to affect a woman’s reproductive system. Every year, about 15,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer. While the disease can strike at any age, many women are diagnosed between the ages of 35 and 55.

Q: What causes cervical cancer?

A: Many cases of cervical cancer are associated with known risk factors for the disease, which may include:

Not all women with these risk factors will develop cervical cancer. However, if you do have risk factors, it is important to discuss them with your doctor.

Q: What are the symptoms of cervical cancer?

A: Many women experience no symptoms until cervical cancer is at an advanced stage. This is because symptoms typically arise when abnormal cervical cells become cancerous and invade nearby tissue. Once symptoms appear, they may include:

The symptoms of cervical cancer may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Always report these symptoms to your physician.

Q: Can cervical cancer be prevented?

A: Early detection of cervical problems is the best way to prevent cervical cancer. Routine, annual pelvic examinations and Pap tests can detect precancerous conditions that often can be treated before cancer develops. Invasive cancer that does occur would likely be found at an earlier stage. Pelvic examinations and Pap tests are the methods used to determine if there are cervical problems. Women who are (or have been) sexually active, or are age 18 or older, should have regular screenings, including a pelvic exam and Pap test.

Q: How is cervical cancer diagnosed?

A: When cervical problems are detected during a pelvic exam or through a Pap test, a cervical biopsy may be performed. Several types of cervical biopsies may be used to diagnose cervical cancer. Some of these procedures can completely remove areas of abnormal tissue and may also be used for treatment of precancerous lesions. Some biopsy procedures only require local anesthesia, while others require a general anesthesia. Speak with your doctor or a gynecologic oncologist for further information about cervical biopsies.

Q: How is cervical cancer treated?

A: Your treatment plan will be determined by your physician based on your overall health, medical history, the extent of the disease and other factors. Treatment options may include:

Speak with your doctor or a gynecologic oncologist for further information about treatment for cervical cancer.

Q: When it is detected early, how treatable is cervical cancer?

A: Cervical cancer is highly treatable when it is diagnosed early. Many early-stage cervical cancers can be cured. The five-year survival rate for the earliest stage of invasive cervical cancer is 92 percent. More widespread use of the Pap test over the last several decades has resulted in a sharp decline in deaths from cervical cancer. It is clear that early detection saves lives.

Nick Chobanian, M.D.
Mercy Gynecologic Oncology
607 S. New Ballas Road, Suite 2350
St. Louis, MO 63141
(314) 251-4260

Sources of Information for this Article