Page 22 - Southern Exposure - December '24

Page 22, Southern Exposure

ClEvElAnd ClInIC In Your CommunItY from page 21

FlorIdA nEws “The road to rebuild your life can be
a longer journey than you might expect,”
said Caylee Hall, current Hannah’s Home
resident. “I’m just starting college and
Commonly Asked pursuing a career. The cottages will offer
so much to help smooth the transition to
Questions About independence.”
Hannah’s Home is a two-year
residential and educational program that
Cervical Cancer serves pregnant women ages 18 to 30 who
have been struggling with food insecurity,
a lack of transportation, homelessness,
unhealthy relationships, and educational
Cervical cancer is the disruption. The organization takes
fourth most common hundreds of calls annually from women of
cancer among women all ages in search of housing, wraparound
worldwide. With the services, and a hopeful future.
development of advanced More information is available at www. Michale Hale, Pastor Paul Beresford, CEO Karen Hilo, Mayor Abby Brennan,
treatment options, this hannahshomesf.org. Founder Carol Beresford, Nick Mastroianni II, Board President Jon Olson
cancer has become
very treatable. As with “Service is our number one priority”
most cancers, early
detection increases the 561-743-0070
chances of survivorship.
Adria Suarez Mora,
M.D., a gynecological www.palmspoolservices.com
oncologist at Cleveland
Clinic Weston Hospital, Adria Suarez Mora, M.D.
answers commonly asked
questions about cervical cancer.
Q: What are the most common symptoms of cervical
cancer?
A: The most common symptoms include vaginal
discharge that may be heavy and can have a foul odor;
vaginal bleeding after intercourse or between menses;
and heavy menstrual periods that last longer than normal.
Precancerous changes of the cervix don’t have symptoms,
which is why it’s important to have routine gynecological
exams and Pap tests.
Q: How is cervical cancer treated? Expires 1/15/25.
A: At Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital, we employ a
multidisciplinary approach to develop an individualized State Licensed & Insured CPC #
treatment plan that will provide the best possible outcome Serving Palm Beach County 1457468 • LPG#30099
for each of our patients.
Prior to discussing treatment options, we consider
many factors including the stage of the disease, the
patient’s age and general health, and if the patient wishes
to have children in the future. Our team may recommend
radiation, chemotherapy, surgery, targeted therapy and/or
immunotherapy.
In recent years, cisplatin-based chemotherapy given
along with radiation, called chemoradiation, has emerged
as the new standard of care for treating locally advanced
or high-risk, early-stage cervical cancer. This combination
has improved response rates and survival compared to
prior therapy with radiation alone.
More recently, new combinations of treatment with
chemo-radiation have been found to improve outcomes
for patients with cervical cancer including combinations
with chemotherapy and immunotherapy. This makes
individualizing treatment options for each patient through
a multidisciplinary approach critical to achieve the best
outcomes for each individual patient.
Q: What are the surgical options for treating cervical
cancer?
A: In its earliest stages, cervical cancer is usually
curable by removing the cancerous tissue. This may
involve undergoing a deep resection of the cervix (cold
knife cone), a minimally invasive simple hysterectomy
or a radical hysterectomy.
A simple hysterectomy involves the removal of the
uterus but not the tissue next to the uterus. The vagina
and pelvic lymph nodes are not removed. A radical
hysterectomy removes the uterus, parametrium, cervix,
upper vagina and pelvic lymph nodes.
Premenopausal women who wish to preserve the
uterus, may be able to choose a fertility-sparing surgery,
such as cone biopsy or trachelectomy. In the former
procedure, the surgeon removes a cone-shaped piece of
tissue from the cervix. The latter procedure removes only
the cervix and upper vagina.
Q: What are the best ways to help prevent cervical
cancer?
A: Receiving regular gynecological exams and getting
Pap tests are the most important steps to take toward
preventing cervical cancer. In addition, women should
get the HPV vaccine, if eligible; use condoms or other
barrier methods during sex; limit sexual partners; and stop
smoking or using tobacco products.
To make an appointment with Dr. Suarez Mora or another
specialist at Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital, call (877)
463-2010 or visit ClevelandClinicFlorida.org/Access.