January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. The month raises awareness about cervical cancer prevention, screening, and treatment.
Cervical cancer is cancer that starts in the cervix, the narrow opening into the uterus from the vagina. The normal ectocervix, the portion of the uterus extending into the vagina, is a healthy pink color and is covered with flat, thin cells called squamous cells. The endocervix, or cervical canal, is made up of another kind of cell called columnar cells. The area where these cells meet is called the transformation zone, or T-zone, and is the most likely location for abnormal or precancerous cells to develop.
According to the National Cervical Cancer Coalition (NCCC), more than 13,000 women in the U.S. are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year, and more than 4,000 women will die of the disease. Cervical cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer for women worldwide, but because it develops over time, it is also one of the most preventable types of cancer.
Cervical cancer tends to occur during midlife, most frequently diagnosed in women between the ages of 35 and 44. Symptoms of cervical cancer may include abnormal or irregular vaginal bleeding, pain during sex, or vaginal discharge.
At Alliance Cancer Center, we treat gynecologic cancers, including cervical cancer, with radiation therapy. Radiation therapy uses powerful, high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing. The treatment is delivered safely, does not involve surgery or require hospitalization, and only takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Side effects are usually minimal and manageable.
If you have been diagnosed with cervical cancer, contact us today to learn more about how Alliance Cancer Center treats cervical cancer with radiation therapy treatment.