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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffMost cases of cervical cancer are detected during routine Pap tests. The most important thing you can to do prevent cervical cancer is to follow the recommended screening guidelines for your age group. For most young women, this means seeing your doctor for a Pap test every one to three years. Ask your doctor if you're not sure how often you should be screened for cervical cancer.
If you have pain during intercourse or any unusual bleeding — such as between periods, after sex or after menopause — call your doctor.
Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect from your doctor.
What you can do
- Write down your medical history, including other conditions with which you've been diagnosed.
- Note any personal history that increased your risk of sexually transmitted disease, such as early sexual activity, multiple partners or unprotected sex.
- Make a list of your medications. Include any prescription or over-the-counter medications you're taking, as well as all vitamins, supplements and herbal remedies.
- Write down questions to ask your doctor. Creating your list of questions in advance can help you make the most of your time with your doctor.
Below are some basic questions to ask your doctor about cervical cancer. If any additional questions occur to you during your visit, don't hesitate to ask.
- Do I have cervical cancer?
- Has my cancer spread?
- What treatment approach do you recommend?
- What are the possible side effects or complications of this treatment?
- Am I at risk of this condition recurring?
- How often will I need follow-up visits after I finish treatment?
- Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me? What Web sites do you recommend visiting?
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over any points you want to talk about in-depth. Your doctor may ask:
- What are your symptoms?
- When did you first notice these symptoms?
- Have your symptoms changed over time?
- Have you had regular Pap tests since you became sexually active?
- Have you ever had abnormal Pap test results in the past?
- Have you ever been treated for a cervical condition in the past?
- Have you been diagnosed with any sexually transmitted diseases?
- Have you been diagnosed with any other medical conditions?
- Have you ever taken medications that suppress your immune system?
- Do you or did you smoke? How much?
- Do you want to have children in the future?
- Warren JB, et al. Cervical cancer screening and updated Pap guidelines. Primary Care: Clinics in Office Practice. 2009;36:131.
- Molpus KL, et al. Gynecologic cancers. In: Goldman L, et al., eds. Goldman: Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/135557788-7/837587224/1492/770.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2805-5..50214-7_9477. Accessed April 30, 2009.
- Zell JA, et al. Cancer prevention, screening and early detection. In: Abeloff MD, et al. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/135557788-9/837588846/1709/31.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06694-8..50030-0_657. Accessed April 30, 2009.
- How is cervical cancer diagnosed? American Cancer Society. Accessed April 30, 2009.
- What is cervical cancer? American Cancer Society. Accessed April 30, 2009.
- Holschneider CH, et al. Invasive cervical cancer: Management of early stage disease (FIGO IA, IB1, nonbulky IIA) and special circumstances. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 30, 2009.
- Shepherd JH. Conservative surgery for carcinoma of the cervix. Clinical Oncology. 2008;20:395.
- Cervical cancer. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/pdf/cervical_facts.pdf. Accessed April 30, 2009.
- Holschneider CH. Invasive cervical cancer: Epidemiology, clinical features, and diagnosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 30, 2009.
- Cervical cancer. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/cervical/Patient/page2. Accessed April 30, 2009.
- Detailed guide: Cervical cancer treatment options by stage. American Cancer Society. Accessed April 30, 2009.
- Holschneider CH, et al. Invasive cervical cancer: Management of stages IB2, bulky IIA, and locally advanced disease. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 30, 2009.
- The emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis. American Cancer Society. Accessed April 30, 2009.
- Pap test. National Women's Health Information Center. http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/pap-test.cfm. Accessed April 30, 2009.
- HPV vaccine information for young women. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/STDFact-HPV-vaccine-young-women.htm. Accessed April 30, 2009.
- Your first gynecologic visit. American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp150.cfm?printerFriendly=yes. Accessed April 30, 2009.
- Moynihan TJ (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. May 12, 2009.
- Cervical cytology screening. Washington, D.C.: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://journals.lww.com/greenjournal/documents/PB109_Cervical_Cytology_Screening.pdf. Accessed Nov. 20, 2009.
