Can aggressive treatment reduce cervical cancer by 70%?

Question

Hi doctor,

My very close friend, who is only 30 years old, was recently diagnosed with cervical cancer after months of symptoms that were unfortunately dismissed as routine infections by multiple doctors she had visited before finally getting a proper diagnosis.

Can cervical cancer in a 30-year-old be reduced by 70 percent with aggressive treatment?

Her oncologist has mentioned that starting aggressive treatment immediately could lead to a significant reduction in the cancer but has not fully explained what that treatment would involve on a day-to-day basis and how her body might respond to it.

She is also deeply worried about whether her fertility can still be preserved through this entire treatment process, since she had always planned to have children.

How soon does she absolutely need to begin treatment before the cancer progresses further to a more dangerous and difficult-to-treat stage?

Please advise.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I am deeply concerned about your worries.

I wish you good health and a speedy recovery for your friend. I really understand your concern about her condition, and I want to reassure you that once she was diagnosed with cervical cancer, this meant we had already started on the right path of management.

I do not know which stage she is in because cervical cancer has four stages, but I would like to tell you that fertility can sometimes be preserved even in advanced stages. Often, the treatment at this point is chemoradiotherapy.

Chemotherapy can have some aggressive side effects such as weight loss, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and hair loss. These can be managed with the medications prescribed with each session, and she may use a wig so she does not feel her appearance has changed. This is a temporary phase and will pass; she needs strong emotional support during this time.

Radiation therapy side effects are usually more localized and not as aggressive; they may include mild discharge or burning during urination, and these are usually minimal and tolerable. Especially since she is still young, in many cases, fertility can still be preserved, and pregnancy may occur later without major problems. I wish her a speedy recovery.

I hope my answer is clear for you and please do not hesitate to ask any question at any time.

Do follow up whenever needed.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Thank you.