Happy Monday everyone - I hope you enjoying the Olympics! As an Olympic skeptic, I was blown away by the opening ceremony!
As regular readers will know: I am on a mission to raise awareness of cervical cancer screening and prevention. I've done a few posts on the subject now and here is another one! There are
quite a few different ways to treat abnormal cervical cells. I’ll try to
explain the various types of treatment here today. It’s important to remember
that treatment is decided based on the type of cells, your own body and the
stage the cells are at. If you do have abnormal cells then it is vital to get
them treated as soon as you possibly can. Treatment will destroy the abnormal
cells before they can become cancerous.
To read my other cervical cancer posts please click these links:
First
Steps:
If you have
mild cell changes then you may be told to wait six months and have a repeat
test. This is because mild cell changes usually sort themselves out. If you
have moderate to severe cell changes then you will probably be referred to your
local hospital for a colposcopy. This is an outpatient procedure and it is
basically a close examination of your cervix which doesn’t actually go inside
your vagina. The doctor or nurse specialist uses something like a magnifying
glass to look at the cells on your cervix in more detail and takes a biopsy to
send to the lab for further examination.
Types of
Treatment:
Laser
Therapy (Laser Ablation): some cells can be burned away by a laser in an
outpatient procedure. For this kind of treatment you will lie on a bed with
your legs in stirrups whilst a doctor places a speculum into your vagina to
hold it open whilst they point a laser beam at the abnormal areas. You will be
given local anaesthetic to numb the area and prevent pain. The laser is a very
strong and hot beam of light and it burns away the abnormal cells. This can
cause a slight burning smell whist you are having the treatment but that just
means the laser is working so try not to worry. You should be able to go home
as soon as the treatment is finished. You may experience period type pains but
they should go away with the normal paracetamol or ibuprofen and some bed rest.
Cold Coagulation:
This name is a little misleading as the treatment isn’t cold at all! You lie on
a bed with your legs in stirrups whilst a doctor inserts a speculum to hold
your vagina open. A hot probe is then used to burn away the abnormal cells. You
shouldn’t be able to feel the probe but it can cause some period type pains
which should go away a few hours after the treatment has finished.
Cryotherapy:
This is basically cold coagulation but with a cold probe instead of a hot one.
The cold probe freezes the abnormal cells. The procedure is exactly the same as
the cold coagulation.
Diathermy:
This is done under local anaesthetic. An electronic current is used to cut away
the tissue that contains the abnormal cells. It is a fairly quick procedure and
it usually done as an outpatient case which means you should be able to go home
afterwards. It can cause bleeding or discharge for about four weeks after the
treatment but sanitary towels will have to be used as tampons have to be
avoided for four weeks. Sex must also be avoided for four weeks following a
diathermy procedure.
Cone
Biopsy: This is a minor operation that can be used to diagnose cervical cancer
or to treat abnormal cells. The entire area containing possible abnormal cells
is removed. It is called a cone biopsy because a cone shaped area of tissue is
removed from the cervix. This is called the transformation zone. This can be
done under general or local anaesthetic.
Hysterectomy:
If you are past menopause, or have had all your children, then your doctor may
suggest removing your uterus. This is usually suggested if you have had abnormal
cells more then once or if the cells are severely abnormal.
These
treatments do sound rather uncomfortable and scary but it is massively
important to have abnormal cells treated to prevent them developing into
cervical cancer. Please do remember to book yourself in for a smear if you are
due one. As I’ve said before, a little discomfort is nothing compared to a
battle with cervical cancer.
xxx
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