Cervical cancer was once the leading cause of cancer deaths in women. Cervical cancer screening options such as pap and HPV tests have improved options for catching cervical cancer in the early stages, allowing for more effective treatment and reduced risk of death. Approximately 14,000 new cases of invasive cervical cancer are diagnosed each year and it is expected that 4,000 or more women will die each year from this disease. At FEM Women’s Wellness, we offer cervical cancer screening to reduce cancer death risk for our patients at our clinic in Reno/Lake Tahoe, NV.
The best way to diagnose cervical cancer in the precancerous stages is with routine screening. Pap smears and HPV tests can identify the early signs of cervical cancer. One or both tests may be performed as part of annual female wellness exams. If either test comes back positive, other tests and screenings may be recommended. A cervical biopsy may be required to retrieve a sample from the cervix to determine if there are pre-cancerous or cancer cells present.
Colposcopy and Cervical Biopsy
If you have a positive HPV test or abnormal pap smear, these are not diagnostic tests. They only indicate a possible risk for pre-cancerous or cancer cells in the cervix. A colposcopy can be performed to examine the cervix to look for any abnormal tissue or areas – if there is suspicious tissue, a colposcope can magnify the surface of the cervix to identify any abnormal areas.
If the colposcopy reveals an abnormal area on the cervix, a small biopsy of the tissue can be harvested. This tissue sample is sent to a laboratory for further evaluation to check for pre-cancerous or true cancer cells.
Types of Cervical Biopsies
Not all cervical cancer is visible with a colposcopy. If there is no visible evidence of cervical cancer but it is suspected, there are other cervical biopsy options we can perform at FEM Women’s Wellness. Endocervical curettage or a cone biopsy may be performed to retrieve a biopsy of cervical tissue from either the endocervical canal or exocervix.
If you have an abnormal pap smear or positive HPV test, you may require further cervical cancer screening. FEM Women’s Wellness offers advanced options for cervical screening and cancer biopsy procedures at our facility in the Reno, Lake Tahoe and Carson City, NV, area. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment.