Understanding Cervical Cancer
- Marissa Jaret Winokur took to social media this week to honor her late father for being her unwavering supporter, celebrating how he always pushed her to follow her dreams. Her dad passed away suddenly in 2020.
- Remember, grief is a difficult, truly personal process. Some find solace in vulnerability and sharing how they feel with others. While working through grief and vulnerable tackling of the emotions that accompany it, some find tools like therapy to be helpful. Support groups can also be a benefit for those who are feeling isolated in their feelings of grief. Faith can also be a powerful coping mechanism for some.
- Cervical cancer begins in the cells lining the cervix, the lower part of the womb (uterus). It usually develops slowly, however, before cancer presents itself. Vaginal bleeding or pelvic pains are common symptoms.
- Pap smears are one way to detect cervical cancer early. During the test, a doctor will collect a sample of cells from your cervix (using a small brush or spatula). The cells are then examined under a microscope for abnormalities, including cancer and changes that could indicate pre-cancer.
“I was lucky my biggest support system was my Dad. He believed even when I doubted!” she captioned a nostalgic Instagram post, featuring a video clip of herself dancing onstage at 18.
Read MoreBack in December 2020, when Winokur announced she was leaving CBS’ “The Talk,” the singer admitted she was “still grieving over the loss” of her dad.View this post on Instagram
Referring to her no longer having a segment on the talk show, she explained, according to People, “I honestly think this is a blessing in disguise that I don’t have the added stress of pretending to keep my chin up and go to work every day.”
Winokur, a mom of one, continued, “I loved my father so much. He was my inspiration. He was my number one.
“He was the one who told me I could be anything I wanted to be when I was growing up. He’s why I am who I am.”
Responding to Stress: How to Cope With Complex & Changing Emotions
It’s important to understand that grief shows up differently for everyone, and its stages—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance—are simply tools to help us recognize and name our emotions. These stages don’t always unfold in a straight line; they can appear in any order.
The time it takes to move through them varies from person to person, so offering yourself patience and compassion is an important part of the process.
“It often gets better over time, but on certain days, it can look like depression, and on other days, people look perfectly normal and can function,” Dr. Scott Irwin, a board-certified psychiatrist and Director of Supportive Care Services at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, previously told SurvivorNet.
WATCH: Dealing With Grief Related to Health Problems
Dr. Irwin explained that part of grief involves recognizing how life has shifted—coming to terms with the fact that the future you once pictured is no longer the same.
Marissa Jaret Winokur’s Battle With Cervical Cancer
Winokur lost her dad about 20 years after she was diagnosed with cervical cancer. She opened up to People about her shocking diagnosis in 200.
She told People in an earlier interview, “In 2000 I was living in L.A., going back and forth to New York, working with the Hairspray producers, but they hadn’t given me the part yet. I was back in L.A. when my gynecologist’s office called. My routine Pap smear was ‘off’ and I had to have a biopsy.”
“A few days later I was in my apartment when I got the call. I was in shock, but my family and friends rallied around me. Within days part of my cervix was removed.”
Winokur admitted feeling as if she “couldn’t tell anyone at work because they still weren’t sure I was right (for ‘Hairspray’).”
“I wasn’t going to give them a reason not to give me the part,” she explained. “My sister made me a padded leotard because I’d lost so much weight. When I returned to L.A. a week later, they told me the cancer had spread and I would have to have a hysterectomy.”
Shortly after her second surgery, she got the role. She underwent surgery to remove only her uterus, and didn’t need chemo.
By January 2002, she was cleared by her doctors, and moved to New York.
Regarding motherhood after cancer, Winokur welcomed her son, Zev Isaac Miller, through surrogacy on July 22, 2008. She called his arrival “a complete miracle of modern science,” especially since a hysterectomy had left her unsure whether having a child was even possible.
Understanding Cervical Cancer & Pap Smears
Cervical cancer begins in the cells lining the cervix the lower part of the womb (uterus). Treatment options for cervical cancer include surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.
RELATED: What You Need to Know About Cervical Cancer Screenings
It’s important to note that HPV (human papillomavirus), a sexually-transmitted virus, causes more than 70% of cervical cancer cases. Most cases of cervical cancer can be prevented with the HPV vaccine.
Additionally, other risk factors like smoking can make you about twice as likely to get cervical cancer as those who don’t smoke.
Cervical cancer screening is critically important because an earlier diagnosis can mean a better prognosis with broader treatment options.
Expert Cervical Cancer Information
The American Cancer Society recommends that cervical cancer screening begins at age 25, and people aged 25 to 65 should have a primary HPV test, an HPV test done by itself for screening, every five years. If primary HPV testing is not available, however, screening may be done with either a co-test that combines an HPV test with a Papanicolaou (Pap) test every five years or a Pap test alone every three years.
The most common symptoms of cervical cancer include:
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding, such as bleeding after vaginal sex, bleeding after menopause, after douching, bleeding and spotting in between periods or having heavier or longer (menstrual) periods than usual
- Unusual discharge from the vagina that may contain some blood and may occur between your periods or after menopause
- Pain during sex
- Pain in the pelvic region
Pap smears are one way to detect cervical cancer early. During the test, a doctor will collect a sample of cells from your cervix (using a small brush or spatula). The cells are then examined under a microscope for abnormalities, including cancer and changes that could indicate pre-cancer.
This is an important procedure because symptoms of cervical cancer might show up until the disease is at stage 3 or 4. By helping doctors catch signs of the disease early, Pap smears can lead to broader and more effective treatment options.
Should I Give My Kids the HPV Vaccine? A Leading Doctor On Why She Says ‘Yes!’
One of the leading causes of cervical cancer is the human papillomavirus (HPV), one of the most common viruses which can be transmitted through sexual contact. HPV is the biggest risk factor for cervical cancer, and there are usually no early signs or symptoms of the disease. However, cervical cancer can be detected through regular check-ups, such as pap smears.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it’s recommended that women start getting Pap tests at age 21. “If your Pap test result is normal, your doctor may tell you that you can wait three years until your next Pap test,” the CDC explains.
Meanwhile, anyone between 20 and 65 years old is urged to speak with their doctor on which testing option is best for them. The CDC explains, “An HPV test only. This is called primary HPV testing. If your result is normal, your doctor may tell you that you can wait five years until your next screening test.
“An HPV test along with the Pap test. This is called co-testing. If both of your results are normal, your doctor may tell you that you can wait five years until your next screening test. A Pap test only. If your result is normal, your doctor may tell you that you can wait three years until your next Pap test.”
For women older than age 65, the CDC says your doctor may suggest you don’t need further screenings if: “You have had at least three Pap tests or two HPV tests in the past 10 years, and the test results were normal or negative, and you have not had a cervical precancer in the past, or you have had your cervix removed as part of a total hysterectomy for non-cancerous conditions, like fibroids.”
The Importance of Routine Screenings For Cervical Cancer
Regular cervical cancer screenings play a vital role in the early detection and prevention of cervical cancer. SurvivorNet experts explain that timely cervical cancer screenings are essential because they:
- Help identify abnormal cells early: Screenings can detect abnormal cervical cells (also called cervical dysplasia) before they turn into cancer. Early detection allows for timely interventions and treatment, preventing the progression to cervical cancer.
- Reduce the risk of cervical cancer: Consistent and regular screenings have been shown to significantly decrease the risk of developing cervical cancer. The more often you get screened, the higher the chance of catching any abnormal cells early enough to treat them effectively.
- Confidence in your health status: Regular screenings provide peace of mind, knowing you’re taking steps to safeguard your health. Whenever abnormal cells are detected and treated, it helps maintain your overall well-being and offers reassurance.
Despite the benefits of regular screenings, some people may neglect them due to factors such as a lack of awareness, fear, or procrastination. It’s essential to remember that both the Pap test and HPV test usually take only a few minutes, easily performable during a regular doctor’s visit. The best preventative measure against cervical cancer is attending regular screenings and updating your healthcare provider on any changes in your gynecological health.
Interpreting Your Screening Results
Once your cervical cancer screening is complete, you’ll receive your test results, which can be categorized into normal, abnormal, or inconclusive. It’s important to discuss the results with your healthcare provider to fully understand them and make informed decisions about any necessary follow-up care. Here’s a brief overview of what the results might indicate:
- Normal results: If your screening results are normal, it means there were no significant changes or abnormalities detected in your cervical cells. This is good news and signifies that you are at low risk for developing cervical cancer. However, continue to attend regular screenings as recommended by your healthcare provider.
- Abnormal results: Abnormal results do not necessarily indicate that you have cervical cancer but can indicate cell changes that may develop into cancer in the future. These changes can range from mild to severe. Based on the severity of the abnormalities, your healthcare provider may recommend further testing, monitoring, or treatment. Some examples of further tests include repeat Pap tests or biopsy.
- Inconclusive results: Sometimes, screening results can be inconclusive, meaning that your healthcare provider cannot definitively determine whether the results are normal or abnormal. This can occur for various reasons, such as an inadequate sample or the presence of blood, inflammation, or mucus. In this case, your healthcare provider may recommend a repeat test or additional testing to obtain a clear result.
Regardless of the outcome of your cervical cancer screening results, it’s essential to stay informed and advocate for your health.
Discuss any concerns or questions you may have with your healthcare provider, and maintain open communication about your cervical health.
Get the Facts: HPV Can Cause Cancer in Men Too
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
