Doctor Outlines Cervical Cancer Care, Side Effects, HPV Prevention

During Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, Dr. Merieme Klobocista, a gynecologic surgical oncologist affiliated with Hackensack University Medical Center and the John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack Meridian Health, spoke with CURE about what patients with cervical cancer should know.

Klobocista said one of the first questions she hears from newly diagnosed patients is whether they can overcome cervical cancer. For most people with early-stage disease or cancer confined to the pelvis, treatment options exist that can fully treat the cancer and offer a potential cure.

Treatment decisions, she explained, hinge on the stage of disease. Early-stage cervical cancer may be treated with surgery, possibly followed by chemotherapy or radiation, which allows room for patient preference. More advanced stages are typically treated with combinations of chemotherapy and radiation, and newer approaches such as immunotherapy have shown promise in improving outcomes.

Klobocista also highlighted the importance of addressing side effects early. Surgical treatment may bring changes like surgical menopause if the ovaries are removed. Radiation can affect nearby organs such as the bladder and intestines and can lead to vaginal changes, dryness and discomfort that impact sexual health. She intentionally discusses sexuality with patients so they don’t feel embarrassed to raise these issues. Tools like vaginal dilators and lubricants can help manage physical side effects, and referrals to specialists can address emotional concerns.

Fertility preservation may be possible for select patients with very early-stage disease, though strict criteria help ensure that survival outcomes are not compromised.

Emotional and mental health support, Klobocista stressed, plays a critical role. She encourages patients and caregivers to communicate openly and to explore support groups to alleviate feelings of isolation.

She closed by urging viewers to consider HPV vaccination, which can prevent most cases of cervical cancer and is available for eligible individuals up to age 45.

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