Jan. 17, 2019 | The cervix is the lower, narrow end of the uterus, the hollow pear-shaped organ where a fetus develops. Composed primarily of fibromuscular tissue, the cervix connects the uterus with the vagina. The cervix produces cervical mucus that changes in consistency during the menstrual cycle to prevent or promote pregnancy. During childbirth, the cervix dilates widely to allow the baby to pass through. During menstruation, the cervix opens a small amount to permit the passage of menstrual flow. Cervical cancer occurs when the body’s cervical cells divide very fast and grow out of control, eventually forming a tumor. More than 13,000 cases of cervical cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year, according to the American Cancer Society, with around 4,200 women expected to die of the disease in 2019. Cervical cancer tends to occur in midlife and is most frequently diagnosed in women between the ages of 35 and 44.

Jan. 17, 2019 | Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is a virus that is passed from person to person through sexual activity. HPV is responsible for the majority of cases of cervical cancer although there are other risk factors associated with the disease. Women who smoke, who are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, and those who have given birth to three or more children are considered high risks for this form of cancer. The majority of women infected with HPV do NOT develop cervical cancer. For most women, HPV infections resolve on their own within two years. A woman with a persistent HPV infection is at greater risk of developing cervical cell abnormalities and cancer than a woman whose infection resolves on its own. Certain types of this virus are able to transform normal cervical cells into abnormal ones. In a small number of cases and usually over a long period of time, some of these abnormal cells may then develop into cervical cancer.

Jan. 17, 2019 | Cervical cancer in its early stages may not cause any symptoms. For this reason, regular screening through Pap and HPV tests can help catch precancerous cell changes early and prevent the development of the disease. Vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, persistent abnormal discharge and increased urinary frequency are all possible signs of cervical cancer. An abnormal Pap test result will likely lead to further testing or a referral to a gynecologic oncologist, a doctor who specializes in cancers of women’s reproductive systems. The oncologist will discuss the patient’s medical history and conduct a physical exam to look for any possible signs of disease. A pelvic exam will allow the physician to feel for lumps or abnormal areas. A colposcopy, which involves the use of a lighted magnifying instrument, may be necessary to check the vagina or cervix for signs of disease. A biopsy of tissue cut from the cervix can help diagnose the disease.

Jan. 17, 2019 | The method of treatment when it comes to cervical cancer depends on the cancer’s stage, the size and shape of the tumor and the woman’s age and general health as well as her desire to have children in the future. Surgical options include a radical hysterectomy, in which the woman’s uterus is removed, or a radical trachelectomy, in which the cervix is removed but not the uterus or ovaries. Radiation with chemotherapy is another method of treatment, using high-energy X-rays or other types of radiation to kill the cancer cells or keep them from growing. Chemotherapy alone is generally reserved for advanced disease. Monoclonal antibody therapy is a type of targeted therapy that uses antibodies made in the laboratory from a single type of immune system cell. Monoclonal antibodies are given by infusion and may be used alone or to carry drugs or radioactive material directly to cancer cells.

Jan. 17, 2019 | January is Cervical Health Awareness Month, designed to encourage American women to talk to their health-care providers about ways to prevent cervical cancer. Dr. Alexander Burnett, a gynecologic oncologist in the UAMS Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, says regular screenings are the best way to avoid the risk of the disease. According to Dr. Burnett, women between the ages of 21 and 29 should get a Pap test every three years. Those between the ages of 30 and 64 should get a Pap test and an HPV test together every five years. Dr. Burnett also recommends that all boys and girls get the HPV vaccine by the time they reach the age of 11 or 12. The vaccine produces a stronger immune response when taken during the preteen years. For this reason, up until age 14, only two doses are the vaccine are required. Women and men can get the vaccine up to age 45 but for those 15 and older, a full three-dose series is needed.