How is cervical cancer diagnosed?
The Papanicolaou (Pap) is the diagnostic test for cervical cancer. HIV-positive women should have a Pap smear every six months for a year, if the results of these tests are normal, repeat once a year. The Pap smear can detect dysplasia.
When dysplasia is found, it is necessary to make another examination with a magnifying instrument called a colposcope. The colposcope can see the abnormal tissue so that it can perform a biopsy.
Most times it is only dysplasia but sometimes it may be cancer. After an examination with a colposcope, you may feel some discomfort and some bleeding.
When cervical cancer is detected, further testing is needed before starting to plan treatment. This process is called staging the cancer (classification of the extent and severity of the disease). Staging is a series of tests and assessments that indicate how advanced the cancer.
How is cervical cancer?
A very small cancer (called microinvasive cancer), can be completely removed through a procedure called a cone biopsy.
What is cervical cancer?