Follow up tests crucial for cervical cancer

Now, doctors are able to conduct hysterectomy through laparoscopic method, if cervical cancer is noticed in first stage. This surgery helps women recover quickly

When cervical cancer is noticed in the first stage, the radical trachelectomy, which is used to remove cervix, vagina, and lymph nodes will be conducted without removing uterus when the woman is young. Depending upon the stage of cancer and age, apart from hysterectomy that is conducted to remove uterus, cervix radical hysterectomy which is used to remove lymph nodes will also be conducted.

Nowadays, doctors are able to conduct hysterectomy through laparoscopic method, if cancer is noticed in first stage. This surgery will help women to recover quickly. Also the time taken for treatments like chemotherapy and radio therapy are very less.

Post-surgery, treatment is given after two to three weeks by which time the wound gets healed. On the contrary, treatment is given within a week with keyhole surgery. If a cancer lump is noticed late, the size of the lump is reduced using chemo and radio therapies and then surgery will be done. But if it is noticed in fourth stage, which means it has spread to the remaining parts - liver, lung, bones, breast - and chemotherapy alone will be given.

Irrespective of the treatment, once it is known that cells in cervix are subjected to changes, follow up tests are compulsory after surgical treatment. The recurrence of disease can be known if tests are undertaken every three months in first two years and thereafter every six months up to five years and after that once every year. Sometimes even after cancer treatment after twenty years there are incidents of recurrence and therefore follow up care is very essential.

There is a possibility that middle-aged women may experience early menopause due to radiation treatments and hence, besides follow up care , they better know the precautions to be taken after consulting the doctor. It may be necessary for younger women to undergo hormone replacement therapy. Side-effects in chemo, radio therapies may last only for some time.

But if younger people undergo oophorectomy they may get menopause symptoms early and hence hormones, calcium, vitamin supplements are necessary. If people at younger age are affected by cervix cancer, their uteruses must be carefully preserved when radical surgery will be done.

Women over the age of 21 years should undergo pap smear tests every three years and if there are any symptoms, they must go for screening tests as per the doctor’s advice. Leading a healthy conjugal lifestyle is crucial.