Cervical cancer is a disease that begins in the cervix, the narrow opening into the uterus from the vagina. According to the National Cervical Cancer Coalition, nearly 13,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year. The Black Women’s Health Imperative states that of these, 2,000 are Black women. When diagnosed early, cervical cancer is one of the most treatable types of cancer.
Even with the hope of a favorable treatment outcome, the initial news can be devastating and life changing. Treatment options depend greatly on the stage of the cancer and other factors such as age and overall health. It will be important to work with your doctor to become educated about which treatment option(s) are best for your situation, particularly if you are interested in family planning.
The following questions provided by the American Cancer Society will help you to have open conversations with your doctor and care team at diagnosis, during treatment and after. Come with your questions written down so that you don’t forget anything, and don’t be afraid or embarrassed to ask them.
At diagnosis
What type of cervical cancer do I have?
Has my cancer spread outside of the cervix?
What is the stage (extent) of my cancer and what does that mean?
Will I need other tests before we can decide on treatment?
Do I need to see any other doctors or health professionals?
If I’m concerned about the costs and insurance coverage for my diagnosis and treatment, who can help me?
Deciding on treatment plan
What are my treatment choices?
What treatment do you recommend and why?
How much experience do you have treating this type of cancer?
Should I get a second opinion? How do I do that? Can you recommend someone?
What would the goal of the treatment be?
How quickly do we need to decide on treatment?
What should I do to be ready for treatment?
How long will treatment last? What will it be like? Where will it be done?
What risks or side effects are there to the treatments you suggest? Are there things I can do to reduce these side effects?
How might treatment affect my daily activities?
What are the chances my cancer will recur (come back) with these treatment plans?
What will we do if the treatment doesn’t work or if the cancer recurs?
Will I be able to have children after my treatment?
What are my treatment options if I want to have children in the future?
During treatment
How will we know if the treatment is working?
Is there anything I can do to help manage side effects?
What symptoms or side effects should I tell you about right away?
How can I reach you on nights, holidays, or weekends?
Do I need to change what I eat during treatment?
Are there any limits on what I can do?
What kind of exercise should I do, and how often?
Can you suggest a mental health professional I can see if I start to feel overwhelmed, depressed, or distressed?
After treatment
Will I need a special diet after treatment?
Are there any limits on what I can do?
What other symptoms should I watch for?
What kind of exercise should I do now?
What type of follow-up will I need after treatment?
How often will I need to have follow-up exams and imaging tests?
Will I need any blood tests?
How will we know if the cancer has come back? What should I watch for?
What will my options be if the cancer comes back?
By subscribing, you consent to receive emails from BlackDoctor.com. You may unsubscribe at any time. Privacy Policy & Terms of Service.
