How to Diagnose Cervical Cancer During Pregnancy

Cervical cancer must be diagnosed somewhat differently during pregnancy than during any other time. Even so, cervical cancer is the most often diagnosed type of cancer in pregnant women. Pregnancy has no impact on the cervical problem and vice versa, though treatment will typically not be given until after the 24th week of pregnancy.

Instructions

• 1

  Determine if symptoms are indicative of cervical cancer. Vaginal bleeding, a different menstrual cycle, experiencing pain or bleeding during sex or blood in vaginal discharge can indicate cervical cancer and warrant a visit to your doctor.

• 2

  Get a Pap smear, but tell your doctor you are pregnant. Tissue is taken for a biopsy during a Pap smear. Test results from a biopsy will indicate if there are any cancerous or precancerous cells from cervical cancer.

• 3

  Get a physical pelvic examination. A doctor will check your vagina, cervix and surrounding organs for signs of cervical cancer.

• 4

  Get a colposcopy if the Pap smear indicates abnormal cells. A colposcopy is a procedure similar to a Pap smear and pelvic examination. A doctor will insert a colposcope, which is a binocular microscope, into the vagina along with a liquid solution that will turn abnormal cells white so they can be seen with the help of the colposcope.

• 5

  Ask your doctor about a cone biopsy. A cone biopsy should be done after the first trimester, as there is a 20 percent chance of a miscarriage occurring if done during the first trimester because of the large amount of tissue needed to be taken. Another procedure that takes a large amount of tissue is a loop electrosurgical excision procedure. Ask if the facility you are at has the equipment and training to do this procedure; if not, ask for a referral if there is a strong suspicion of an invasive disease.

• 6

  Ask if a hysterectomy is necessary if the cervix is not accessible or not large enough for a biopsy. This is rare but sometimes required.