Cervical Cancer
About Cervical Cancer
According to the American Cancer Society, cervical cancer was one of the most common causes of cancer death for women in America. But over the last 30 years, the cervical cancer death rate has decreased by more than 50 percent due to the increased use of the Pap test. If cervical cancer is detected early, it is one of the most successfully treated cancers. Women, take charge of your health, and talk to your doctor about screening recommendations. Early detection saves lives!
Location Just for Women
At the Breast & GYN Cancer Pavilion, a unique facility dedicated solely to treating women with breast and gynecologic cancer, Mary Bird Perkins – Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center and Woman’s Hospital are working side-by-side. With the most experienced doctors and teams, surgical procedures, breakthrough treatments and national clinical trials, we provide everything needed for your care and life beyond your diagnosis.
Screenings
WHEN TO GET SCREENED FOR CERVICAL CANCER
All women should begin cervical cancer screening at age 21. Women between the ages of 21 and 29 should have a Pap test every 3 years. Usually, they do not be tested for HPV unless it is needed after an abnormal Pap test result. Women between the ages of 30 and 65 should have both a Pap test and an HPV test every 5 years. This is the preferred approach, but it is also OK to have a Pap test alone every 3 years.
Women who are at high risk for cervical cancer may need to be screened more often. They should talk with their doctor or nurse.
Source: cancer.org
RISK FACTORS
Risk factors for cervical cancer include infection by the human papilloma virus (HPV), smoking and family history. Women at high risk might include those with HIV infection, organ transplant or exposure to the drug DES. For questions about risk factors, talk with your doctor.
SYMPTOMS
Symptoms of cervical cancer may include abnormal vaginal bleeding, such as bleeding after vaginal sex, bleeding after menopause, bleeding and spotting between periods, and having (menstrual) periods that are longer or heavier than usual. Bleeding after douching or after a pelvic exam may also occur. Other symptoms may include pain during sex or an unusual discharge from the vagina. The discharge may contain some blood and may occur between your periods or after menopause.
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are research studies that involve human beings in order to test new ways to prevent, detect, diagnose or treat diseases. A drug must be part of a clinical trial before the FDA will approve it to be put on the market. Oncology clinical trials are conducted in order to test new drugs or a new combination of drug treatments, new surgery and radiation therapies and new medical devices.
Every cancer center patient is evaluated for participation in a clinical trial. Those who meet the criteria to participate in clinical research receive a standard of care treatment, but with the added benefit of a trial that may enhance their outcomes.
If interested in volunteering to participate in a clinical research trial, or if you have concerns about the conduct of clinical research, please contact the Clinical Research office at (225) 215-1353, or by email at clinicalresearch@marybird.com.
Trial Number: GOG 3047 ENGOT
Title: A Randomized, Phase 3, Double-Blind Study of Chemoradiotherapy With or Without Pembrolizumab for the Treatment of High-risk, Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer (KEYNOTE-A18/ENGOT-cx11/GOG-3047)
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Pembrolizumab plus concurrent chemoradiotherapy compared to placebo plus concurrent chemoradiotherapy in participants with locally advanced cervical cancer.
Physicians: Drs. Kellie Schmeeckle, Sobia Ozair, Lauren Zatarain
Offered in: Baton Rouge – Breast and GYN Cancer Pavilion
Trial Number: GOG 3041 AZ GUO-E
Title: A Randomized, Multicenter, Double – Bling, Placebo – Controlled, Phase III Study of First – Line Carboplatin and Paclitaxel in Combination with Durvalumab, Followed by Maintenance Durvalumab with or without Olaparib in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Advanced or Recurrent Endometrial Center (DUO-E)
Purpose: A study to assess the efficacy and safety of Durvalumab in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy (Paclitaxel + Carboplatin) followed by maintenance Durvalumab with or without Olaparib for patients with newly diagnosed advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer.
Physicians: Dr. Drs. Sobia Ozair, Lauren Zatarin, and Kellie Schmeeckle
Offered in: Covington
Title: A Phase II Randomized, Multi-Center Study to investigate the Efficacy and Tolerability of a Second Maintenance Treatment in Patients with Platinum-Sensitive Relapsed Epithelial Ovarian Cancer, who Have Previously Received PARP Inhibitor Maintenance Treatment
Purpose: To investigate the effectiveness and tolerability of a second maintenance treatment in participants with platinum-sensitivity relapsed (PSR) epithelial ovarian cancer, who have previously received PARPi maintenance treatment and who have benefit (complete response [CR] or partial response [PR]) or stable disease (SD) from further platinum-based chemotherapy.
Physicians: Dr. Patricia Braly
Offered in: Covington
Trial Number: NRG GY018
Title: A Phase III Randomized, Placebo – Controlled Study of Pembrolizumab (MK-3475, NSC #776864) IN Addition to Paclitaxel and Carboplatin for Measurable Stage III or IVA, Stage IVE or Recurrent Endometrial Cancer
Purpose: This phase III trial studies how well the combination of pembrolizumab, paclitaxel and carboplatin works compared with paclitaxel and carboplatin alone in treating patients with endometrial cancer that is stage III or IV, or has come back (recurrent).
Physicians: Drs. David S. Hanson, Sobia Ozair, Kellie D. Schmeeckle, Derrick W. Spell, Lauren Zatarain.
Offered in: Baton Rouge (Breast & GYN Cancer Pavilion)
Trial Number: MK-7902-001 LEAP
Title: A Phase 3 Randomized, Open-Label, Study of Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) Plus Lenvatinib (E7080/MK-7902) Versus Chemotherapy for First-line Treatment of Advanced or Recurrent Endometrial Carcinoma (LEAP-001)
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy of Pembrolizumab + Lenvatinib to chemotherapy in female participants with Stage III, IV, or recurrent endometrial carcinoma.
Physicians: Dr. Patricia Braly
Offered in: Covington
Trial Number: Tesaro RUBY 4010-03-001/ GOG3031
Title: A Phase 3, Randomized, Double-Blind, Multicenter Study of Dostarlimab (TSR-042) Plus Carboplatin-Paclitaxel Versus Placebo Plus Carboplatin-Paclitaxel in Patients with Recurrent or Primary Advanced Endometrial Cancer (RUBY)
Purpose: Endometrial cancer accounts for greater than 90 percent (%) of all uterine cancer. The majority of participants with endometrial cancer are diagnosed in early stages (Stage I or II) and receive surgery with curative intent; however, approximately 20% are diagnosed with advanced or metastatic disease (Stage III or IV) for which a surgical cure is not possible.
Physicians: Dr. Patricia Braly
Offered in: Covington
Trial Number: ADAGIO D601HC00002
Title: A Phase 2b, Open-Label, Single-Arm, Multi-Center Study Assessing the Efficacy and Safety of Adavosertib as Treatment for Recurrent or Persistent Uterine Serous Carcinoma (ADAGIO)
Purpose: This Phase 2b study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Adavosertib, an inhibitor of the tyrosine kinase WEE1, in subjects with recurrent or persistent uterine serous carcinoma (USC) who have previously received at least 1 prior platinum-based chemotherapy regimen for the management of USC.
Physicians: Dr. Patricia Braly
Offered in: Covington
Trial Number: IMGN853-0417 SORAYA
Title: A Study of Mirvetuximab Soravtansine in Platinum-Resistant, Advanced High-Grade Epithelial Ovarian, Primary Peritoneal, or Fallopian Tube Cancers With High Folate Receptor-Alpha Expression (SORAYA)
Purpose: This study is designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Mirvetuximab Soravtansine (MIRV) in patients with platinum-resistant high-grade serous epithelial ovarian cancer, primary peritoneal, or fallopian tube cancer, whose tumors express a high-level of Folate Receptor-Alpha (FRα).
Physicians: Dr. Patricia Braly
Offered in: Covington
Additional Support
- American Cancer Society: The American Cancer Society website contains information on many aspects of cancer care geared toward patients and caregivers.
- National Cancer Institute: National Cancer Institute is a federal program that is part of the National Institutes of Health. It has resources and information for patients and caregivers which is based on scientific research.
