Understanding Cervical Cancer & HPV
- Steph Washington, a 38-year-old mom of three from Englandm, was diagnosed with stage four cervical cancer one year after the onset of symptoms—and she claims doctors had continuously dismissed her symptoms as sexually transmitted infections. She hopes that by sharing her story, more women will get screened for cervical cancer.
- According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), cervical cancer forms in the cells of the cervix, the lower, narrow end of the uterus (womb) which connected the uterus to the vagina.
- Cervical cancer has also been linked to the human papillomavirus (HPV), an STI. And while it’s true that nearly all cases of cervical cancer are caused by HPV, people should also be aware that HPV puts both men and women at risk of developing several other cancers as well including cancers of the vagina, penis, anus and throat.
- 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.
Washington, of Dudley, England, has complained that she wasn’t offered a pap smear and was “repeatedly failed” by the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS).
Read MoreShe continued, “Instead, I kept being told I had vaginal infections … all the treatments unsurprisingly failed to work, the pain was getting worse, and I was constantly going back and forth to my GP and, later on, emergency visits to the hospital.
“I said to my mom that I had cancer, but the medical professionals were telling me it was all in my head. … I’m keen to back DIY home cervical screening tests on the NHS, which would help increase the number of women being screened and ultimately save lives. It would also take away some of the anxiety and make smear tests a lot easier to access.”
“If I’d have been offered a smear test in April 2022, my outcome could have been a lot different,” she insisted.
Washington said it took eight doctors appointments and numerous hospital visits, over the course of 12 months, to lead to her August 2023 diagnosis.
Instead of being diagnosed with cervical cancer when her symptoms first arose, Washington claims she was only given antibiotics to treat what her doctors thought were sexually transmitted infections and bacterial vaginosis (BV).
Expert Cervical Cancer Information
- HPV Vaccination Dramatically Reduces Cervical Cancer Rates; Everything You Should Know About The Vaccine
- New Cervical Cancer Test Detects Disease Significantly Better Than HPV Test and Pap Smear
- New Hope for Patients With Cervical Cancer: Adding Immunotherapy Drug to Standard Chemo Treatment Could Improve Survival Time
- New Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines Recommend HPV & Pap Testing Now Start at Age 25
- Why Is Late-Stage Cervical Cancer On The Rise? The Importance of Pap Smears and Testing For HPV
Some of the symptoms she endured were chronic pelvic and lower back pain, irregular menstrual bleeding, fatigue and unexplained weight loss.
Since her diagnosis, Washington has completed chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment and claims she’s not feeling any better. However, she’s set to undergo exenteration [removal of organs within the pelvis to treat cancer].
Meanwhile, Greens Health Center in Dudley, England has reported admitted medical negligence in regard to Washington’s case, as per SWNS.
Washington’s story is a stark reminder that it’s incredible important to push for answers when it comes to your health, especially if a gut feeling is telling you something is wrong.
Understanding Cervical Cancer
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.
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.
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
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.
The Importance of Advocating for Yourself
Standing up for yourself is important. If you feel that you’re being dismissed or mistreated by a doctor. Getting a second opinion is crucial if something doesn’t feel right. Experts tell SurvivorNet that no one knows your body better than you, so if you feel like something is wrong, keep pushing for answers.
Dr. Zuri Murrell, a colorectal surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, previously told SurvivorNet that sometimes, patients need to be pushy.
Be Pushy, Be Your Own Advocate… Don’t Settle
“From a doctor’s perspective, every problem should have a diagnosis, a treatment, a plan for follow-up, and a plan for what happens next if the treatment doesn’t work,” Dr. Murrell said.
And as a patient, “If you don’t feel like each of these four things has been accomplished, just ask! Even if it requires multiple visits or seeing additional providers for a second opinion, always be your own advocate.”
Ultimately, patients advocating for their health can lead to better patient outcomes. This is especially important when you find your doctor has misdiagnosed your symptoms.
A component of advocating for yourself in healthcare includes going back to the doctor multiple times and even getting multiple opinions.
Dr. Steven Rosenberg is the National Cancer Institute Chief of Surgery, and he previously told SurvivorNet about the advantages of getting input from multiple doctors.
Cancer research legend urges patients to get multiple opinions.
“If I had any advice for you following a cancer diagnosis, it would be, first, to seek out multiple opinions as to the best care. Because finding a doctor who is up to the latest of information is important,” Dr. Rosenberg said.
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
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