| Cervical Cancer is the third most common cancer | | | | diagnosed with Cervical Cancer. First try |
| of the female reproductive system. It's classified | | | | contacting the American Cancer Society a non |
| as either pre-invasive or invasive. Pre-invasive | | | | profit enterprise funded through donor volunteer |
| cancer ranges from minimal cervical dysplasia, in | | | | groups. Second try contacting The Angel Network |
| which the lower third of the epithelium contains | | | | a private equity fund sponsored by Oprah |
| abnormal cells, to carcinoma in situ, in which the | | | | Winfrey dedicated to assisting individuals diagnosed |
| full thickness of epithelium contains abnormally | | | | with the debilitating disease. Finally there are some |
| proliferating cells. If left untreated in may progress | | | | insurance companies that will provide health |
| to invasive cervical cancer, depending on the | | | | insurance, however there is usually a limited open |
| form. In invasive disease, cancer cells penetrate | | | | enrollment period for acceptance of an application. |
| the basement membrane and can spread directly | | | | We Can Help. |
| to contiguous pelvic structures or disseminate to | | | | If you are diagnosed with Cervical Cancer you will |
| distant sites by way of lymphatic routes. In most | | | | need financial assistance to compensate the |
| cases the histological type is squamous cell | | | | medical facilities for a multitude of expenses. |
| carcinoma, which varies from well differentiated | | | | Acute clinical staging will determine the type of |
| cells to highly anaplastic spindle cells. | | | | treatment. Pre-invasive lesions may be treated |
| When covered under a managed care health | | | | with total excisional biopsy, cryosurgery, laser |
| insurance plan certain preventative treatment | | | | destruction, conization and sometimes even a |
| may be tested for to detect and terminate the | | | | hysterectomy costing thousands. Therapy for |
| progression of cancer if treated early. Such | | | | invasive squamous cell carcinoma may include |
| testing may include certain diagnostic procedures | | | | radical hysterectomy and radiation therapy |
| such as a Papanicolaou test more commonly | | | | requiring additional out of pocket expenditures. |
| known as a Pap smear to identify abnormal cells, | | | | Pelvic exenteration might also be performed for |
| and a colposcopy which determines the source of | | | | recurrent cervical cancer. |
| abnormal cells evidenced on the Pap test. There is | | | | Complications of the surgery itself can run up |
| also the Cone biopsy which is performed if | | | | more charges because of bladder dysfunction, |
| endocervical curettage is positive. Another useful | | | | formation of lymphocytes or seromas after |
| test is known as the Vira/Pap test which is used | | | | lymphadenctomy, and pulmonary embolism. Other |
| to permit examination of the specimens | | | | possible complications to be considered in cost are |
| deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) structure to detect | | | | the radiation therapy itself. When it is all said and |
| Human Papiloma Virus a predicator to cancer cells. | | | | done the cost of treating a single case of localized |
| Additional studies such as a lymphangiography, | | | | (early stage) cervical cancer can average |
| cystography, and major organ and bone scans, | | | | anywhere from $25,000.00 to $35,000.00 dollars |
| can detect metastasis. | | | | and while the cost of treating a single case of |
| But What Do You Do If You Have No Insurance | | | | distant (later stage) cervical cancer can range |
| And Have Cervical Cancer? | | | | anywhere from $40,000.00 to $50,000.00 dollars |
| There are a few organizations that can help or | | | | so you will definitely need help. |
| provide financial assistance if you have been | | | | |