Is Cervical Cancer Treatable?
Cervical cancer is characterized by uncontrolled multiplication of cells lining the cervix. As per the National Cancer Institute, it is one of the common cancer forms affecting women with nearly 11,000 cases being diagnosed annually in the United States. Though no complete cure is currently available for cervical cancer, there are numerous treatment options that can help control the growth and proliferation of the cancer cells.
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Types of Treatment
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Surgical removal of the malignant cells is one of the most common treatments; however, if there is a risk of cancer recurrence your doctor might also suggest methods such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and hormone therapy to prevent the spread of cancer cells.
Time Frame
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Treatment time frames generally vary from patient to patient depending on the metastasis of the cancerous cells. In most cases, radiotherapy is performed regularly for approximately a month, while chemotherapy sessions are held periodically for over a period of four to five months.
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Survival Rate
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According to the National Cancer Institute, the mean 5-year survival rate for cervical cancer is nearly 70.5 percent.
Side Effects
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Some of the side effects associated with invasive cervical cancer treatments are fatigue, loss of hair, skin rashes, appetite loss, cessation of menstrual periods, pelvic pain, problems with bowel movements and urination, nausea and diarrhea.
Prevention/Solution
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As per the Mayo Clinic, some of the measures you can take to prevent cervical cancer require that you also prevent the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection. Preventive measures include abstinence from sex, using condoms during intercourse, having fewer sexual partners, avoiding smoking and exposure to environmental pollutants, and reducing alcohol consumption.
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