Unsuspected Diagnosis
Stay Vigilant Against Cervical Cancer

The Methodist Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology offers comprehensive and personalized care for women with gynecological malignancies. The division of gynecologic oncology provides expertise in the management of malignancies that arise from the reproductive tract. This management is a highly specialized team approach that includes gynecologic oncologists, radiotherapists, medical oncologists and pathologists. These lesions account for 13 percent of the cancers in women and 11 percent of the cancer deaths in women. Incidence-wise, gynecologic cancers are third in frequency behind breast and lung cancer.

Houston resident Mary Lou Fernandez had never had an abnormal Pap smear or missed her annual cervical cancer screening. But after her yearly checkup in December 2005, that changed. "My doctor's nurse called and told me that I had cervical dysplasia, or abnormal cell growth," says Fernandez, now 43. "I was shocked and thought it had to be a mistake."

Living in Austin at the time with her husband and then 2-year-old son, Fernandez scheduled a colposcopy that would take a tissue biopsy. The biopsy showed she had stage 1A cervical cancer (the earliest stage). "It turns out I had two of the human papillomaviruses (HPV) that cause cervical cancer," Fernandez explains.

Lowering the Risk
Almost all cervical cancers are related to HPV, a group of more than 100 types of sexually transmitted viruses.* While there is no treatment to cure HPV, there are treatments for the cell changes in the cervix that HPV can cause. A vaccine also became available in 2006 that reduces the chance of HPV infection.

Cervical cancer begins when pre-cancerous cells turn malignant in the lining of the cervix, the lower part of the uterus. The Pap test is important for early detection of cervical cancer or pre-cancerous cells that often have no symptoms.

"I'm lucky that my cancer was caught early. It makes you appreciate life," Fernandez reflects. "Women think it can't happen to them. That's what I thought but it happened to me. Prevention and regular checkups are the best defense."

In Good Hands
Treatment options for cervical cancer depend on the cancer stage, as well as a patient's age, health and preferences. "My internist recommended Denise Nebgen, M.D., OB/GYN at The Methodist Hospital," Fernandez says. "I ended up having a vaginal hysterectomy, and my care has
been great.

I like that Methodist is a teaching hospital, and I've learned so much about my illness. Dr. Nebgen even called me at home to see how I was doing.

"I was amazed that my gynecological oncologist at Methodist, Tri Dinh, M.D., greeted me within five minutes in the waiting room. Dr. Dinh really puts you at ease. I never feel rushed."

We Can Help
The Methodist Hospital's Gynecological Services includes a renowned team of medical professionals to diagnose and treat gynecologic diseases such as cervical cancer. When surgery is the best option, Methodist's gynecologic surgeons are experts in cutting-edge procedures that offer shorter recovery.

* Source: American Cancer Society.

Talk to your doctor about cervical cancer prevention.
For more information or to request a referral to one of our physicians, please call 866-618-3348.