Over 13,000 women are medically diagnosed with cervical cancer every year. To highlight this dreaded disease, January has been designated as Cervical Health Awareness Month, by the U.S Congress. By raising awareness about the disease, it is hoped that the diagnosis will early in women in the age group of 35 to 45 years. This awareness has been assisted to a great deal by the advancements in the digital imaging industry.
Awareness And Tests for Cervical Cancer
With more awareness and increase in regular screening and access to cutting-edge diagnostic imaging, there has been a considerable decrease in the death due to cervical cancer. Pap smears and HPV tests are the common tests done to diagnose it. That is why it is important not to miss the annual check-ups as the HPV test checks for the virus that modifies the cervix cells and the pap smear shows the changes in the cervix that could lead to cancer, if ignored.
Importance of Diagnostic Imaging
Cervical cancer develops within the cervix as an abnormal growth. This usually stems from an HPV infection that spreads due to unprotected sexual activity. Your doctor will need to perform a pap smear or do a colposcopy to confirm the disease. The colposcopy is similar to a colonoscopy, wherein a small camera is put through to get an enlarged view of the area to focus on any abnormal growth. The early detection of cancer works in favor of the patient and ensures faster recovery.
If the doctor finds any abnormal growth in the cervix, a biopsy will be done wherein a piece of tissue will be removed for LEEP or cone biopsy. Additionally, any of the below mentioned digital imaging procedures will need to be performed:
CT scan: It is done to show the details of the cervix and the lower abdomen. It will reveal the size and location of the tumor along with if any, other abnormality in other organs.
MRI: This is done to determine the extent and spread of cervical cancer. The digital imaging shows if there are any other abnormal tissues close to the cervix, especially of the bladder or colon that is involved. Additional tests maybe required if there is a spread of cancerous tissues.
PET scan: this is an important scan that is required for the diagnosis of cervical cancer. It is part of the nuclear imaging and is an amalgamation of Positron Emission Tomography with Computed Tomography within one digital imaging machine. The scans are extremely informative and reveal the structure and functioning of the tissues and cells. It can detect the spread of cancer within the cervix and other adjacent organs.
To know more about cervical cancer or need to schedule a diagnostic procedure, call Vital Imaging today. Call us at 305-596-9992.