[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/progress-against-cervical-cancer-2-rcca-oncologists-discuss-advances-in-prevention-and-treatment\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/progress-against-cervical-cancer-2-rcca-oncologists-discuss-advances-in-prevention-and-treatment\/","headline":"Progress Against Cervical Cancer: 2 RCCA Oncologists Discuss Advances in Prevention and Treatment","name":"Progress Against Cervical Cancer: 2 RCCA Oncologists Discuss Advances in Prevention and Treatment","description":"The outlook for treating and preventing cervical cancer is brighter thanks to new treatment options. Learn more from Regional Cancer Care Associates.\r\n\r\n","datePublished":"2025-02-14","dateModified":"2025-03-25","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/author\/ceastway\/#Person","name":"ceastway","url":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/author\/ceastway\/","identifier":5,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/007b7979610c70c3cd4b24ed960fb78ff62c0b68401d393e79cb483d56812050?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/007b7979610c70c3cd4b24ed960fb78ff62c0b68401d393e79cb483d56812050?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Regional Cancer Care Associates","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/logo.svg","url":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/logo.svg","width":506,"height":228}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/iStock-1020968914.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/iStock-1020968914.jpg","height":768,"width":1365},"url":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/progress-against-cervical-cancer-2-rcca-oncologists-discuss-advances-in-prevention-and-treatment\/","about":["All Cancers"],"wordCount":1625,"keywords":["News & Events"],"articleBody":"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tProgress Against Cervical Cancer: 2 RCCA Oncologists Discuss Advances in Prevention and Treatment\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFebruary 14, 2025\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAn effective means of prevention, expanded treatment options, and improved outcomes have made the outlook for cervical cancer brighter than ever before, but more still needs to be done, as the disease will claim an estimated 4,320 lives across the U.S. this year.1That\u2019s the assessment of two oncologists practicing with Regional Cancer Care Associates, or RCCA, one of the nation\u2019s largest networks of oncology specialists. In this article, those physicians outline what women need to know about the causes, prevention, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of the gynecologic cancer.\u201cThe overwhelming majority of cases of cervical cancer are caused by persistent infection with high-risk types of the human papillomavirus, or HPV,\u201d explains Mira Hellmann, MD, a board-certified OB\/GYN and gynecologic oncologist who practices with RCCA at the John Theurer Cancer Center of Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack, NJ. Dr. Hellmann explains that almost all people who are sexually active will be exposed to HPV, but that most will clear the infection. In some cases, however, the infection may persist and \u2013 particularly in the case of high-risk types of the virus such as HPV 16 and HPV 18 \u2013 cervical cancer may develop.2\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOncologist and patient discuss cervical cancer treatment options\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHannah Yamin, DO, board-certified medical oncologist and hematologist at RCCA\u2019s North Falmouth, MA location\u201cSmoking or exposure to secondhand smoke and having a weakened immune system can increase the risk for developing cervical cancer as a result of HPV infection,\u201d2 \u00a0notes Hannah Yamin, DO, a board-certified medical oncologist and hematologist who practices in RCCA\u2019s North Falmouth, MA, office.The cancer specialists note that in addition to not smoking and attending to their overall health, women can take two key steps to reduce their risk for cervical cancer. First, Dr. Yamin says, regular screening is important. \u201cCervical cancer tends to develop slowly, with the tissues of the cervix undergoing a series of precancerous changes before actual cancer is present. So, seeing your OB\/GYN or other healthcare provider and having screenings at intervals appropriate for your age and risk profile is really important.\u201dThe American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends that women begin cervical cancer screening at age 25, and that women ages 25 to 65 should be screened every 5 years.3 According to the ACS, women should receive:A primary HPV test, by which cervical cells are gathered and tested for the presence of an HPV strain;3 or,A \u201cco-test\u201d that combines an HPV test with a Papanicolaou test (or Pap smear), which assesses cervical cells for potentially cancerous cellular changes or cervical cancer itself, as well as for HPV; or, 3Only a Pap test, but at 3-year intervals rather than every 5 years.3Second, says Dr. Hellmann, vaccination against HPV is an effective means of reducing the risk of cervical cancer. \u201cA 2020 study that followed more than 1.6 million girls and young women over an 11-year period found that HPV vaccination reduced the rate of cervical cancer by about 88%,\u201d the gynecologic oncologist explains.4 She adds, however, that the vaccine is most effective when it is administered before a person has become sexually active and potentially exposed to HPV. For that reason, she notes, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends beginning vaccination \u2013 which is administered in either two or three shots spread out over time \u2013 at age 11 or 12 years.5 \u201cHowever, the CDC recommends vaccination through age 26 years if someone did not receive adequate doses of the vaccine earlier. The agency also says that some people ages 27 to 45 years may want to talk with their healthcare provider about whether vaccination may make sense for them,\u201d she explains.Cervical Cancer: Trends, Signs, and SymptomsThanks in large measure to screening and HPV vaccination, the overall rate of new cases of cervical cancer has declined markedly in recent years.6 However, the American Cancer Society estimates that an estimated 13,360 women across the United States will be diagnosed with the disease this year.1 Further, for reasons that are not entirely clear, the rate of new cases has increased by 1.7% annually over the last 8 years among women ages 30 to 44.6Another troubling trend: 36% of girls and 41% of boys ages 13 to 17 were not up to date with their HPV vaccines as of 2023.1Dr. Yamin notes that common symptoms of cervical cancer include:Vaginal bleeding after intercourse, between periods, or after menopauseUnusually heavy or prolonged menstrual bleedingWatery, bloody vaginal dischargePelvic pain or pain during intercourse.7\u201cIn most cases, these symptoms will be caused by something other than cancer. So, experiencing one or more of them is not a reason to panic, but it is a reason to see your OB\/GYN or other healthcare provider promptly to determine the underlying cause and to take appropriate steps to obtain relief and have peace of mind,\u201d says Dr. Yamin.Treating Cervical Cancer If you or a loved one is facing cervical cancer, it is important to know that physicians have more options than ever before to create highly individualized treatment plans based on the characteristics of the cancer and a woman\u2019s overall health. This ability to personalize care has greatly enhanced oncologists\u2019 ability to achieve good outcomes. In fact, the cervical cancer death rate has dropped by more than half over the past five decades.6 Factors that an oncologist will consider when formulating a treatment plan include:The location of the cancer within the cervix and, if applicable, beyond the cervixThe type of cells involvedThe patient\u2019s age and overall healthThe patient\u2019s plans for future childbearingDr. Hellmann notes that the following cervical cancer treatments, alone or in combination, might beMira Hellmann, board-certified OB\/GYN and gynecologic oncologist at RCCA\u2019s Hackensack, NJ locationrecommended:Surgery to remove abnormal precancerous cells and to treat early-stage cervical cancers. For precancerous conditions, abnormal cells can be removed via conization (a type of biopsy), frozen via cryosurgery, or obliterated with extreme heat with cryosurgery. For cervical cancer, surgical options include trachelectomy (removal of the cervix) or hysterectomy (removal of the uterus); the former procedure preserves fertility, while the latter does not. When cervical cancer has spread, surgery may also involve removal of pelvic lymph nodes and nearby tissue.Radiation therapy uses high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells. Administered alone or in combination with chemotherapy, radiation can help shrink or obliterate an early-stage cervical cancer or minimize symptoms in a later-stage cancer.\u00a0Radiation can be delivered to the body from a machine (called external beam radiation) or internally through placement of tiny pellets that emit radiation over a small area (called brachytherapy).Chemotherapy involves administration of medications that kill cancer cells and slow or prevent tumor growth. Chemotherapy is administered orally or intravenously.Chemoradiation combines chemotherapy and radiation therapy to maximize the effectiveness of both.Targeted therapies act on specific proteins that help abnormal cells proliferate and form tumors.Immunotherapies are agents that prompt the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells.Turn to RCCA for Cervical Cancer Treatment Drs. Hellmann and Yamin are among 100+ medical oncologists and hematologists who practice with RCCA at 26 locations across New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and the Washington, D.C., area. RCCA\u2019s cancer specialists see more than 30,000 new patients each year and provide care to more than 265,000 established patients, collaborating closely with those patients\u2019 other physicians. RCCA physicians offer patients innovative therapies, including immunotherapies and targeted therapy, as well as access to approximately 300\u00a0clinical trials.In addition to serving patients who have solid tumors, blood-based cancers, and benign blood disorders, RCCA care centers also provide\u00a0infusion services to people with a number of non-oncologic conditions\u2014including\u00a0multiple sclerosis,\u00a0Crohn\u2019s disease,\u00a0asthma, iron-deficiency anemia, and\u00a0rheumatoid arthritis\u2014who take intravenously-administered medications.To learn more about Regional Cancer Care Associates, call 1-844-346-7222 or visit\u00a0RCCA.com.ReferencesCancer Facts and Figures 2025. American Cancer Society. Published January 2025. Accessed January 23, 2025.National Cancer Institute. Cervical Cancer Causes, Risk Factors, and Prevention. https:\/\/www.cancer.gov\/types\/cervical\/causes-risk-prevention. accessed January 30, 2025.The American Cancer Society Guidelines for the Prevention and Early Detection of Cervical Cancer. https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/types\/cervical-cancer\/detection-diagnosis-staging\/cervical-cancer-screening-guidelines.html. Accessed January 19, 2025.Lei J, Ploner A, Elfstrom KM, et al. HPV vaccination and the risk of invasive cervical cancer. N Engl J Med. 2020;383(14):1340-1348.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). HPV Vaccination Recommendations. https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/vaccines\/vpd\/hpv\/hcp\/recommendations.html. Accessed January 30, 2025.American Cancer Society. Key statistics for cervical cancer. https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/types\/cervical-cancer\/about\/key-statistics.html.Updated January 16, 2025. Accessed January 19, 2025.American Cancer Society. Signs and symptoms of cervical cancer. https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/types\/cervical-cancer\/detection-diagnosis-staging\/signs-symptoms.html. Updated October 2, 2024. Accessed January 19, 2025.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twe are here for you\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFor more information or to schedule an appointment, call 844-346-7222. You can also schedule an appointment by calling the\u00a0RCCA location\u00a0nearest you.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\trequest an appointment\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRELATED ARTICLES\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCutting Your Cancer Risk: RCCA Oncologists Discuss 4 Lesser-Known Steps\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tYou don\u2019t smoke. You drink alcohol in moderation, if at all. You avoid processed meats and you dab on the sunscreen before you hit the\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLearn More\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat to Expect During a Lung Bronchoscopy\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBronchoscopy is an invaluable tool that allows physicians to examine the inside of the lungs without surgery, enabling them to detect and diagnose lung cancer.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLearn More\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetting Your First Mammogram on Schedule Really Matters: 2 RCCA Oncologists Explain Why\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThere are many reasons women don\u2019t obtain their first mammogram at the recommended age: work commitments and other demands on their time, uncertainty regarding when\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLearn More\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRegional Cancer Care Associates is one of fewer than 200 medical practices in the country selected to participate in the Oncology Care Model (OCM); a recent Medicare initiative aimed at improving care coordination and access to and quality of care for Medicare beneficiaries undergoing chemotherapy treatment.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"News","item":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Progress Against Cervical Cancer: 2 RCCA Oncologists Discuss Advances in Prevention and Treatment","item":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/progress-against-cervical-cancer-2-rcca-oncologists-discuss-advances-in-prevention-and-treatment\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]