How to Learn About the Cervical Cancer Diagnosis Process

Cervical cancer is the presence of malignant tissue in the cervix, most often caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). If your doctor suspects you may have cervical cancer, it can benefit you to become familiar with the cervical cancer diagnosis process. You may also want to learn about the diagnosis process if a friend or loved one is about to undergo a test for cervical cancer.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Know if you are in a high-risk group. If you have been diagnosed with pre-cancerous cells or HVP, you'll want to be especially diligent about noticing any abnormal symptoms and reporting them to your doctor. Vaginal bleeding at irregular intervals (when not menstruating), abnormal growths and moderate to severe pain during sexual intercourse or while douching are the most common symptoms of cervical cancer.

2. Expect the diagnosis process to begin with a colposcopy, the visual examination of the tissue in the vagina and on the cervix using a highly magnified colposcope. The colposcopist will be able to detect the differences between good and malignant tissue.

3. Prepare for the possibility of a biopsy, even if your doctor doesn't detect malignant tissue using the colposcopy. A biopsy is the process by which a small quantity of abnormal tissue is removed to be examined further.

4. Note that routine cervical screening techniques are also used in the cervical cancer diagnosis process. You will be given a pap smear to help detect the presence of HPV, though HPV DNA testing is now becoming a routine part of the cervical cancer diagnosis process as well.

5. Consider following up your diagnostic exam by making key lifestyle changes. This will be necessary if you are diagnosed with cancer, but it can be a great idea even for those women who are given a clean bill of health. Now is the time to quit smoking, achieve a healthy weight and take control of your overall health.

Tips & Warnings

• Even if your doctor gives you a clean bill of health, always get a second opinion. While today's tests are highly accurate, it is better to double-check than to walk away with a false sense of security.
• Ask your doctor about receiving the HPV vaccine, available to all women under the age of 26. This preventative measure can help avert many of the different forms of cervical cancer.
• A pap smear alone is not enough to detect cervical cancer. Many women mistakenly rely solely on this test, so be sure to express your desire to undergo more rigorous testing if you feel there may be something wrong.
• If you are diagnosed with cervical cancer, pay close attention to your mental health, as well as your physical well-being. Learn the signs of clinical depression, and feel free to ask for a mental health worker to be added to your healthcare team.

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