Treatment Options for Cervical Cancer
Understanding the available treatments can help you have informed conversations with your healthcare provider about your care plan.
Listen: Treatment of cervical cancer in isiXhosa
Listen: Treatment of cervical cancer in isiZulu
Treatment of Pre-Cancerous Lesions
Treatment of pre-cancerous lesions typically takes around 10
minutes and involves one of three methods: cryotherapy
(freezing), thermal ablation (heat), or surgical excision of the
abnormal tissue.
Common Treatment Types
Knowing your treatment choices can help you talk with your doctor and make informed decisions.
Surgery
Removes cancer from the body. Options range from minor to major procedures.
.
Radiation Therapy
Uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue.
Chemotherapy
Uses medicine that travels through the bloodstream to destroy cancer cells.
Targeted Therapy
Uses drugs that attack cancer cells based on their specific genetic traits.
Questions to Ask Your Healthcare Provider
- What treatment options are most appropriate for my specific diagnosis and stage?
- What are the potential side effects of each treatment, and how can they be managed?
- How might these treatments affect my fertility or sexual health?
- What is the expected timeline for my treatment plan?