Although cervical cancer rates in the U.S. have declined in recent years, there are still more than 12,000 new cases annually—and around 4,000 deaths. Getting diagnosed and treated at an early stage is the best way to ensure a full recovery from cervical cancer. Speak with a Bayhealth cancer expert about screenings and treatment options.
Types of Cervical Cancer
The cervix, which is located in the lower part of the uterus, can develop different kinds of cancerous cells. The following are among the various types of cervical cancer.
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma: The most common form of cervical cancer, squamous cell carcinoma begins in the flat cells on the outer part of the cervix.
- Adenocarcinoma: Often linked to an out-of-use miscarriage prevention drug called diethylstilbestrol (DES), this cancer forms in the glandular epithelial cells.
Signs and Symptoms
Although cervical cancer doesn’t always present noticeable symptoms during its early stages, the following are common signs of the disease.
- Vaginal bleeding, including after sex, between periods and after menopause
- Discharge from the vagina that is watery, bloody or odorous
- Heavier-than-normal menstrual periods that last a long time
- Bowel issues, including diarrhea and constipation
- Frequent urination
- Leg swelling
- Pain during urination or sex
- Pelvic or back pain
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue
Risk Factors and Prevention
While the majority of cervical cancer cases are linked to the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is transmitted through sexual contact, other risk factors include the following.
- HIV Infection: Infection by the human immunodeficiency (HIV) virus can increase the risk of developing cervical cancer at some point in your life.
- Smoking: Cigarette use can double your risk for cervical cancer as well as suppress your body’s ability to fight HPV.
- Sexual History: The more sexual partners you have (particularly at a young age), the greater the risk that you will develop HPV, which can lead to cervical cancer.
- Birth Control Pills: Long-term use of oral contraceptives (birth control pills) may increase the risk of developing cervical cancer at some point in your life.
- Multiple Pregnancies: Women who have had three or more full-term pregnancies may have a greater likelihood of developing cervical cancer.
- Compromised Immune System: Diseases or other conditions that weaken the immune system (such as HIV) put you at greater risk for developing HPV.
- Miscarriage Prevention Medicine: If your birthing parent took diethylstilbestrol (DES), a synthetic form of estrogen that was prescribed in the U.S. from 1940 until the early 1970s, you may have a heightened risk of developing vaginal cancer.
Family and Personal History
Because some cases can be linked to inherited syndromes or genetic mutations, understanding your family’s health history can be beneficial to the treatment or prevention of cervical cancer.
In clinical partnership with Penn Medicine’s Telegenetics Program, Bayhealth provides genetic counseling services to patients. Using video-conferencing software that can be accessed on our Kent and Sussex campuses, genetic counselors from the Abramson Cancer Center will discuss your personal and family history with you and make genetic testing recommendations. These tests will provide insight into your cancer risks and help our multidisciplinary medical team to determine the best treatment plan for your condition. To learn more about our telegenetics program or to participate, call us at 302-674-4401.
Receiving regular pelvic exams and Pap tests are the most effective ways to find early signs of cervical cancer.
How We Diagnose Cervical Cancer
We use the following procedures to diagnose cervical cancer.
- Pelvic Exam: Using an instrument called a speculum, our medical expert examines the inside of your vagina and cervix for signs of cancer.
- Pap Test: Typically performed during a pelvic exam, a Pap test (or Pap smear) involves removing cells from the inside of your vagina or cervix for analysis.
- Colposcopy: Our medical expert uses a thin, lighted instrument (colposcope) to examine the inside of your vagina and cervix.
- Biopsy: Often performed during a colposcopy, a biopsy involves removing a piece of tissue from your cervix for examination in a pathology lab.
- Computerized Tomography (CT): Certified experts use computer-processed X-rays to generate a scan of your body in “slices” to create highly accurate images.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): A combination of a magnetic field and radio waves creates three-dimensional images of specific areas of your body to determine if disease or physical abnormalities are present.
- Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan: A small amount of radioactive material (which is known to absorb into cancer cells more than normal cells) is injected into your bloodstream, allowing a scanner to locate the cancerous cells.
Treatment Options
Our multidisciplinary team works collaboratively to outline a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. Experts from a range of specialties will discuss your condition and determine the best plan of action. Factors we consider when developing your treatment plan include the stage and location of the cancer and your personal medical history.
Treatments for cervical cancer include the following.
Medical Therapy
Our board-certified oncologists prescribe your medical therapy, and our highly trained nursing staff administers that therapy intravenously, orally or through injection.
Among the medical treatments we provide are the following.
- Targeted Drug Therapy: This type of cancer treatment uses drugs to “target” cancer cells without affecting normal cells.
- Chemotherapy: This drug treatment uses powerful chemicals to kill fast-growing cancer cells in your body.
- Immunotherapy: This treatment option boosts your immune system, empowering it to fight and destroy cancer cells.
Radiation Therapy
Our team of board-certified radiation oncologists may use external beam radiation in combination with other treatments to address your cancer. Employing sophisticated technology, our therapists concentrate high-energy beams of radiation on the precise parts of your body affected by disease. This safe and accurate procedure may be administered routinely over a period of days or weeks. Other radiation procedures include the following.
- High-Dose Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy: A form of internal radiotherapy, HDR brachytherapy involves using a narrow tube (catheter) to place a small amount of radioactive material into or near the area affected by cancer. This procedure may be used in conjunction with other treatments, including external beam radiation.
Surgical Approach
Our specialized surgery team uses the latest in minimally invasive techniques to remove the parts of the cervix affected by disease. Adhering to evidence-based guidelines, our robot-assisted surgical procedures provide safe treatment for all stages of cancer.
Learn more about cancer treatment options at Bayhealth.
Support Services
Before, during and after your cancer treatments, our experts remain dedicated to improving your quality of life. Our care team supports you in establishing healthy routines that help you stay in control of your daily symptoms. We also host support groups that provide patients and families opportunities to connect and share their experiences — because a strong network of support can help to make the realities of cancer more manageable.
- Cancer Support Community: A statewide non-profit organization, the Cancer Support Community is dedicated to helping people manage the emotional aspects of their cancer journey. Learn more about the Cancer Support Community.
Explore our classes, events and support groups.
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are research studies that test cutting-edge drugs, procedures and technologies with the purpose of establishing new or better ways of treating cancer. The skilled nurses in our Clinical Research Program can help you find clinical trial options for your specific cancer.
Speak with a Bayhealth expert about cancer treatment options.