Approximately 13,170 brand new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed, including 4,250 deaths, in women in year. Cervical cancer refers to the development of abnormal cancer cells in a woman’s cervix, which have the ability to invade or spread to other parts of the body. The human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the major risks factors for the formation of cervical cancer cells. HPV is an infection mainly transmitted through sexual contact with an infected partner. Two HPV types (i.e., type 16 and 18) cause roughly 70% of precancerous cervical cancers. The common age of diagnosis for cervical cancer is women between 35- and 44-years old, however, the cancer has been found in women patients in their 20’s. While the remaining 15% of cervical cancers are diagnosed in women over the age of 65 years old.

Screening for cervical cancer is done with a simple pap smear, which is why it’s essential to keep up with recommended health screenings. If you or a loved one are diagnosed with cervical cancer, your treatment may include the following:

1. Surgery
Surgery may be used to remove cancer cells from the cervix in the early stages. Some of the surgical procedures that may be considered include:

• Total hysterectomy: removal of the uterus.
• Pelvic exenteration: removes the vagina, ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix, uterus, nearby lymph nodes, and sometimes the bladder and rectum.
• Radical trachelectomy: removal of the cervix and surrounding tissues (i.e., parametrium), upper vagina, and lymph nodes in the pelvis).

2. Radiation therapy
Radiology may be an option for treating cervical cancer by employing high powered x-rays directly at the cervix to kill and prevent further cancer cell growth. Two different types of radiation is used: external radiation therapy and internal radiation therapy.

3. Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a very common option used to treat cervical cancer. It employs various drugs to stop and prevent the growth of the cervical cancer cells. Also, this form of treatment is effective in preventing the cervical cancer cells from dividing. Chemotherapy can be administered in many ways, including injecting chemo drugs through the vein or muscle, placing them directly in the cerebrospinal fluid, or almost anywhere in the body.

4. Targeted therapy
Targeted therapy is another treatment used that works to identify and kill cancer cells without causing damage to your other healthy cells in the body. It works by using specific drugs that target specific molecules (i.e., proteins) within or on cancerous cells.

5. Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy works by strengthening and urging the patient’s immune system to help fight off and kill cancer cells.