What can a woman do about cervix cancer? Treatments can include chemotherapy or other treatments to shrink or destroy tumors. Chemotherapy is usually given intravenously every three weeks. Nutritional supplements may help ease the physical stress of cervical cancer treatment. You may experience weight loss or difficulty eating, but the more nutritious meals you eat, the more energy you will have. To help your body cope with chemotherapy and other treatments, work with a nutritionist or dietitian to develop a diet plan that will be most beneficial for your condition. Your nutritionist may recommend eating smaller meals more often, which will help you avoid excess calories.
Women who have not had regular screenings for cervical cancer are at high risk for developing this disease. However, early detection can help prevent cancer from spreading or becoming spread throughout the body. Pre-cancerous changes in the cervix can occur over months or years, so it is important to seek treatment if you notice any of these changes. Pre-cancerous changes in the cervix are classified as either squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and adenocarcinoma. Both of these conditions can develop into cancer if left untreated.
While cervical cancer may have no symptomatic symptoms, it can be difficult to treat. Treatments that are more aggressive can cause serious side effects, including nausea and fever. Oftentimes, you may have to undergo surgery if it is diagnosed early. Surgery is only considered an option when it is possible to remove as much of the cancer as possible at one time. You should discuss any fertility-preservation options with your doctor before starting treatment. It is important to note that some cancer treatments may have side effects, and some of these could make you less fertile.
Radiation therapy is another option for treating cervical cancer. The type of radiation used depends on the stage of the cancer. External beam radiation (EBRT) is an option for cervical cancer above stage IB. Internal brachytherapy is another option, which boosts the amount of radiation to the tumor while sparing normal tissue. Internal brachytherapy involves inserting a hollow metal tube with two egg-shaped cartridges into the vagina. The doctor inserts a small radioactive source inside the tube to target the tumor. The treatment will last a few minutes and is painless.
A Pap test is also a good option. This test is designed to reveal any changes in the cells that may indicate the development of cervical cancer. While symptoms of cervical cancer may not be noticeable immediately, they should be reported to a doctor. Cervical cancer is a result of HPV, a sexually transmitted infection that most people will contract at some point in their life. A Pap test may not detect the cancer, but a regular check-up can catch it in the early stages before it spreads.
Treatments for cervix cancer may also affect your libido. Some treatments can lead to a decrease in sexual desire and even early menopause. A vaginal dilator can help prevent painful sexual intercourse. A radical hysterectomy is another treatment option. The surgery can leave a woman with a low sex drive and a decreased libido.
