The Northside Hospital Cancer Institute (NHCI) Gynecologic Cancer Program is Georgia’s leading provider of gynecologic (GYN) cancer care, diagnosing and treating more new cases of cervical cancer than any other hospital in Georgia. Northside Hospital ranks among the top five women’s cancer programs in the country.
Cervical cancer is a type of gynecologic cancer that starts in the cervix. The cervix is the narrow passage forming the lower part of the uterus (womb).
Most of the time, early cervical cancer has no symptoms. Symptoms may not begin until the cancer has grown and spread into nearby tissue.
The most common symptoms of cervical cancer may include:
Almost all cervical cancers are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), a common virus that is spread through sexual intercourse. There are many different types (strains) of HPV. Some strains lead to cervical cancer, other strains can cause genital warts, and others do not cause any problems at all.
Risk factors for cervical cancer include:
There is no guaranteed prevention against cervical cancer, but maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise and avoiding smoking and other tobacco products will reduce the risk of cervical cancer.
As part of our comprehensive approach to cancer prevention and education, Northside offers Built To Quit, a smoking and tobacco cessation program offering resources to help individuals quit smoking and stop using other tobacco products. For additional information please call 404-780-7653 or email smokingcessation@northside.com or click on the button below to register online for an upcoming class.
Built to Quit Class Schedule (English)
Built to Quit Class Schedule (Spanish)
HPV vaccines help protect against most but not all cases of HPV cervical infections to prevent cervical cancer. The vaccine is given over six months to males and females ages 9-26. Talk to a health care provider to learn more about the vaccine.
Pap tests are crucial for early detection and treatment of cervical cancer. Women between the ages of 21 and 65 should have a Pap test at least once every three years.
Northside Hospital’s Cancer Genetics Program is available to patients interested in genetic counseling and testing due to strong personal or family histories of gynecologic, colorectal or breast cancers. Our team, consisting of certified genetic counselors helps patients assess, understand and reduce the risk of developing certain types of genetically influenced cancers such as cervical cancer. For additional information, please call 404-851-6284 or email genetics@northside.com.
The early diagnosis of cervical cancer increases the chances of treating the cancer successfully. It is recommended that women begin screening for cervical cancer at age 21. A gynecologist or primary care physician can perform both screenings during an annual well-woman exam.
Cervical cancer screening tests include:
Cervical cancer is the third most common type of cancer in women. To detect cervical cancer at its earliest stage, women should have annual well-woman doctor visits, including regular pelvic exams. A primary care provider or gynecologist can recommend the right female cancer screenings and diagnostic tests based on age, lifestyle and family history.
In 2018, more than 110,000 women in the United States were estimated to be diagnosed with a GYN cancer – and more women trust Northside Hospital Cancer Institute Gynecologic Cancer Program for their cancer care than any other hospital provider in Georgia
Northside’s Gynecologic Cancer Program physicians use the following tests and procedures to diagnose endometrial or uterine cancer:
The strength of NHCI’s Gynecologic Cancer Program is our multidisciplinary team of dedicated, specially trained gynecologic oncology specialists who provide individualized care for each cervical cancer patient. Northside’s gynecologic cancer care team offers a comprehensive scope of medical services, the latest technology, leading-edge clinical research and compassionate support for cancer patients.
Our dedicated and experienced gynecologic oncologists and clinical experts are among the most experienced in the country. Northside Hospital Cancer Institute’s physicians are committed to providing comprehensive cancer care in a compassionate setting.
Our GYN cancer team of experts includes:
Northside Hospital provides a forum for these cancer specialists to review radiology and pathology images and discuss the best Cervical Cancer Treatment Options, including clinical trials, and develop an evidence-based treatment plan for each patient. By prospectively discussing cancer cases during conference, patients get the benefit of more than a dozen expert medical opinions.
Northside Hospital Cancer Institute’s Gynecologic Cancer Program leads the way in groundbreaking surgical procedures for better outcomes and less invasive treatments of cervical cancer.
Northside’s Gynecologic Cancer Program offers patients dedicated women-only surgery suites for breast and GYN surgery as well as an inpatient unit designed specifically for women diagnosed with a GYN cancer.
Cervical cancer treatment depends on the stage of the cancer, the size and shape of the tumor, the age and general health of the woman, and her desire to have children in the future.
For more information about cervical cancer treatments, please expand the content below. Click here to learn more about all NHCI Cancer Treatment Options.
Cervical cancer treatment and recovery can be overwhelming, which is why, at the Northside Hospital Cancer Institute Gynecologic Cancer Program, we have oncology nurse navigators to guide patients every step of the way after cancer diagnosis and through treatment. Northside’s registered oncology nurses work with radiologists, pathologists, surgeons, oncologists and other specialists to coordinate each cervical cancer treatment plan, educating and supporting cancer patients to make informed decisions.
Our oncology nurse navigators facilitate access to Northside Hospital Cancer Institute’s comprehensive portfolio of cancer patient support and survivorship services to ensure each cervical cancer patient receives coordinated and personalized care.
To learn more about oncology patient navigation or to speak with an oncology nurse navigator, please call 404-300-2800 or email nurse.navigator@northside.com.
The Network of Hope (NoH) program connects cancer patients with trained volunteers who have also faced cancer and embraced life afterward. Volunteer cancer survivors and caregivers are available to mentor cancer patients throughout their treatment.
In 2015, as part of a grant received from the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance, Northside Hospital Cancer Institute launched the Woman to Woman program as a specialty area within Network of Hope. Woman to Woman provides expanded mentoring support specifically for women with gynecologic cancers.
For more information about the Woman to Woman program please call 404-303-3676.
LEARN MORE ABOUT ALL THE CANCER SUPPORT & SURVIVORSHIP RESOURCES AVAILABLE.
