The American Cancer Society estimates that 14,100 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cervical cancer this year. Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer affecting women. If you or a loved one are diagnosed with cervical cancer, you are sure to have many questions about treatment and prognosis. At Beacon Clinic, we are ready to provide you with the information, resources, support, and compassion you need to help you through your cancer journey.
Cancer of the cervix occurs at the narrow opening between the uterus and the birth canal. Like all cancers, cervical cancer involves the uncontrolled reproduction of specific cells, which can ultimately create tumors. Most cervical cancers fall into one of two types: squamous cell carcinoma, which is the most common and involves the uncontrolled reproduction of the thin flat cells that line the outer part of the cervix, and adenocarcinoma, which involves the glandular cells which line the cervical canal.
Survival Rates for Cervical Cancer
The five-year survival rate for cervical cancer is about 66%, or two out of every three people who are diagnosed. However, as with most cancers, the earlier it is found and treated, the better the survival rate.
Medical professionals break cancer progression into stages, with Stage 0 describing the precancerous stage, where cells may be abnormal but have not progressed to being cancerous. At Stage 1, the cells are considered cancerous. The scale goes up to Stage 4, where cancer has metastasized to parts of the body distant from where it started. According to data compiled by the National Cancer Institute, when cervical cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, usually through a cancer screening procedure such as a Pap smear, the five-year survival rate is significantly higher–about 92%. These early stages are when the cancer is localized and limited to the cervical tissue.
If cancer reaches a more advanced stage by spreading to nearby tissue outside the cervix, the five-year survival rate drops to about 58%. If cancer has metastasized, the five-year survival rate is about 18%. However, it is important to remember that these numbers are just averages. Every patient is different, and every cancer is different. Cancer specialists like the medical providers at Beacon Clinic will share these statistics with patients if desired to assist in making informed decisions about their care and preparing arrangements for their families and other affairs.
Treatment for Cervical Cancer
Several treatments are available for cervical cancer, including surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. Often, a patient may undergo a combination of therapies.
At Beacon Clinic, our goal is to help patients craft comprehensive cancer care plans. We will also make proper referrals and coordinate care with surgeons and other subspecialists if appropriate. We have close working relationships with other regional and national cancer centers, such as the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, the University of Washington, the Mayo Clinic, and the Huntsman Institute. We can also assist patients in gaining access to cutting-edge clinical trials if they meet the eligibility criteria.
In addition to cancer treatment, our comprehensive care also includes many supportive services for our cancer patients and their caregivers, including nutritional, rehabilitative, and financial support and counseling. These services can help you cope with your cancer and the infirmities and problems that often accompany an extended period of cancer treatment.
As is the case with any type of cancer, a diagnosis of cervical cancer can be full of emotion and challenge. At Beacon Clinic, we will provide the support and resources you need to beat the odds. Contact Beacon Clinic today and talk to one of our compassionate team members about how we can help.
What Causes Pancreatic Cancer?
November 18, 2022, is World Pancreatic Cancer Day. This day was created to raise awareness about pancreatic cancer, and to encourage people to support the individuals and families who are dealing with it. But what causes pancreatic cancer?
Pancreatic cancer occurs in the cells within the tissue of the pancreas. The pancreas is an organ located behind the stomach and above the small intestine. Its function is to release enzymes that help digest the food you eat and to produce hormones that help regulate your blood sugar.
Pancreatic cancer is somewhat uncommon, accounting for only about 2% of all cancers that are diagnosed. The prognosis for patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer is generally not very positive; the five-year survival rate is only about 5-10%. However, patients rarely exhibit any symptoms until the disease has progressed significantly, meaning that it is not diagnosed until it reaches Stage IV and has metastasized to other parts of the body. Consequently, the low survival rate is likely due to the lateness of the diagnosis; if pancreatic cancer is diagnosed in earlier stages, the prognosis is much better.
The hallmark of all cancers is that particular cells, whether in the skin, the blood, or an organ like the pancreas, start to reproduce atypically and/or uncontrollably. All cells reproduce naturally to replace dying cells, but, in cancer, reproduction does not stop; even more, cancerous cells often display an uncanny ability to thrive.
Physicians are generally able to identify the specific cells that have become cancerous; however, they usually do not know exactly what triggers the mutations that lead to cancerous cell reproduction. That said, research has helped identify certain risk factors for many types of cancers, including pancreatic cancer. Consequently, while one cannot pinpoint a specific “cause” of pancreatic cancer if you are aware of the risk factors, you can take extra care in the choices you make to minimize your risks.
If you find that you possess many of the risk factors for pancreatic cancer (some of which are beyond your control), get periodic exams and express your concerns to your healthcare provider. If you can catch pancreatic cancer early, you can expect the prognosis for long-term survival to be vastly improved.
Risk Factors for Pancreatic Cancer
Statistics indicate that certain people are more likely to get pancreatic cancer. Remember: these factors are not determinative, but they can help you assess your particular risk.
Smoking: About 25% of the people who get pancreatic cancer are smokers, and cigarette smokers are at least two times more likely to develop pancreatic cancer than non-smokers.
Age and Sex: Men are more likely to develop pancreatic cancer than women, and in both sexes, cases are usually diagnosed in people who are over 65. However, since most diagnoses occur when the cancer is already at Stage IV, it is important to remember that it can occur at any age.
Medical Conditions: Pancreatic cancer is more likely to occur in people who have diabetes, and in people who have had a history of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). Pancreatitis occurs more frequently in people who drink excessive amounts of alcohol.
Genetic Factors/Family History: People who have certain genetic mutations and genetically inherited syndromes are more likely to get pancreatic cancer. These can include the BRCA-1 or -2 mutation, cystic fibrosis, familial atypical multiple mole melanoma (FAMMM), and other conditions. Pancreatic cancer appears more often in African Americans than in Americans of Asian, Mexican, or Caucasian descent. If you are concerned about whether you have any of the genetic conditions or predispositions that may make it more likely that you would get pancreatic cancer, ask your doctor if you can obtain a genetic screening. If someone in your direct family has had pancreatic cancer, it is more likely that you may get it, and this is often due to one of these genetic conditions.
Other Risk Factors: Being obese, consuming a diet with too much red meat, repeated exposure to chemicals, and even gum disease have been shown to be risk factors for pancreatic cancer.
Pancreatic Cancer Treatment and Support
Being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer can be a dismaying experience, and we fully understand the anxiety that our patients go through when they begin to undertake their cancer journeys. But we also know that researchers are making great strides in finding effective therapies for all types of cancer, including pancreatic cancer.
At Beacon Clinic, our goal is to provide complete support to our cancer patients, not only in terms of their course of treatment but in other aspects of their lives that can be affected. We assist our patients in crafting treatment plans and offer many in-house treatments, such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies. We work closely with radiation and surgical oncologists here in North Idaho, as well as with top-rated cancer centers across the country.
We also offer, or coordinate referrals for, several supportive services, such as nutritional consultation, financial counseling, rehabilitative services, and palliative care. We are also able to offer our patients the opportunity to participate in exciting clinical trials that may be available if they are eligible based on the study criteria.
Overall, our goal is to provide comprehensive care of the whole person. We do it by working with each patient individually, knowing that everyone’s medical as well as personal situation is unique to them alone. If you have been diagnosed with cancer, contact Beacon Clinic today to obtain more information about how we can support you. And join us in raising awareness for pancreatic cancer on November 18th and supporting those cancer warriors and loved ones impacted by it.
