January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

Screening saves lives and personalized support is available

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that about 115,000 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed in the United States each year, and about 4,000 women die of this cancer. As a former practicing obstetrician/gynecologist, I always want to raise awareness of the importance of screening for early detection.

Screening tests check for cancerous cells and abnormal cells that could become cancerous. The screenings are done before someone exhibits any symptoms through a pap test performed by your primary care doctor, obstetrician/gynecologist (OB/GYN) or another healthcare clinician.

For women aged 21 to 29, the recommendation is to get a pap test every three years. Another important screening test for cervical cancer is the HPV test, which looks for the human papillomavirus (HPV) that can cause abnormal cell changes. If a woman is 30 years old or older, she can consider pap testing every five years if combined with testing for HPV. After age 65, a pap test may no longer be needed if there have been no signs of cervical precancer in the past, or if there has been a normal screening test for several years, or if the cervix has been removed as part of a total hysterectomy for non-cancerous conditions, like fibroids.

Screening enables early detection if cancer is present, and if caught in the early stages, cervical cancer is almost always curable. Treatment can include surgery, chemotherapy or radiation.

Nurse Navigators Provide Additional Support, Education and Resources

If cancer is diagnosed, patients can be referred to nurse navigation at the Lee Health Cancer Institute for additional support. Frances Hutchinson, RN, BSN, CBCN, a breast health and gynecologic oncology navigator, explains her important role.

“I support patients and their families as a resource and guide throughout their active cancer treatment journey,” Frances said. “I connect them to supportive resources such as free counseling, oncology dietary support or cancer rehabilitation navigation.”

A cancer journey impacts all aspects of life, so the additional care, concern, assistance and encouragement from our nurse navigators can make a huge difference. “My goal with every patient is to reduce the barriers to their care with resources available whether they are financial, transportation, emotional support or education,” Frances said. “I am here to make this journey as successful as possible for every patient, whether the treatment goal is for cure or to improve the quality of life for stage IV patients receiving treatment.”

Our Lee Health Cancer Institute nurse navigators provide their services and support free of charge, and patients do not need a referral. To learn more about our nurse navigators, visit our website, LeeHealth.org, and search ‘cancer nurse navigators.’

Through their kindness, compassion, resources and support, Frances and her fellow nurse navigators help ease the fears and anxieties of their patients facing a cancer diagnosis and treatment journey.

Please note: You should discuss any screening, diagnosis or treatment plan with your doctor or healthcare provider to ensure the right timing and cadence for screenings and the most appropriate treatment.