Protecting Yourself From Cervical Cancer

Seven Steps To Avoid Cervical Cancer

The best protection a woman has against cervical cancer is to develop a trusting relationship with a gynecologist and follow the guidelines listed below:

Regular Exams. Visit a gynecologist at least once a year for a pelvic examination and Pap smear. Examinations should be more frequent if a woman has noted an abnormality related to her reproductive organs, such as a change in menstrual regularity, odor or vaginal drainage, painful intercourse, etc.

Report Changes. Report all changes to the gynecologist, including specific reasons for the visit and any changes in function which have occurred since the last visit.

Agree On Testing Practices. Insist that the gynecologist personally contact the laboratory that evaluates the Pap smears and establish that the Pap smear will be evaluated by a physician with special expertise in cytopathology.

Agree On Reporting. If an abnormality is reported on a Pap smear, insist that the gynecologist discuss the results directly with the physician who made the interpretation to completely understand the conclusion.

Repeat Tests. Insist that any repeat Pap smears be performed within three months. If any abnormality persists on a repeat Pap smear, ask to have a magnified visual inspection of the cervix conducted by a gynecologist skilled in the performance of colposcopy.

Sample Tissue. Even if no visible abnormality of the cervix is seen during the colposcopy, one may exist in the endocervical canal, a part of the cervix that cannot readily be seen by colposcopy. Therefore, a sample of the tissue in the canal should be taken to look for any abnormalities revealed by earlier Pap smears but not necessarily visible upon magnified inspection of the cervix. Have A Biopsy on any abnormality seen on the cervix during the colposcopy.

Ask For A Clear Diagnosis. A biopsy showing dysplasia or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia or CIN II or higher, or described as a high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion requires specific treatment; insist on it. If you don't understand the words, ask your gynecologist to explain it to you in words you can understand. Any precancerous condition must be treated immediately. Don't accept "let's wait and see how it looks next year."

Modern medicine offers many therapeutic miracles to women diagnosed with invasive cancer. Prevention, however, is far better than cure.