I am 20 weeks pregnant and was told by my doctor that I may have cervical cancer. They are going to check me with a scope next week and then do a biopsy after I have the baby. Will the baby be okay? Has anyone else had this problem. Oh, and I am 22 if that matters.

I hope that the following links will provide the information that you need. I also hope and pray that everything works out for the best for you!

Hopefully, there may be someone on this site who can give you good advise because of their experience.

Cervical cancer and pregnancy (http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page=2776#diag)

ACS :: Cervical Cancer in Pregnancy (http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_4X_Cervical_Cancer_in_Pregnancy_8.asp?site area=)

Cervical Cancer and Pregnancy (http://www.ehealthmd.com/library/cervicalcancer/CC_pregnancy.html)

Cervical Cancer (http://www.womenfitness.net/cervical_cancer_preng.htm)

A quote from a site:

Please note the following as taken from the text below: "In general, the pregnancy has no effect on the cervical problem and the cervical problem has no effect on the pregnancy."

CERVICAL CANCER DURING PREGNANCY

When an abnormal Pap test is obtained on a woman who is pregnant the evaluation is modified. In general, the pregnancy has no effect on the cervical problem and the cervical problem has no effect on the pregnancy. However, the cervix is best not manipulated or biopsied during the first trimester because the risk a spontaneous miscarriage is about 20%. Should this happen, the biopsy will be blamed, although it will not have been the cause.

There is no urgency to diagnose a premalignant condition during pregnancy. All that is really necessary is to exclude or diagnose an invasive cancer. Often this can be accomplished by a colposcopic examination, without the need for any biopsy. The premalignant conditions can easily wait until 6 weeks after the baby is born to evaluate and treat. Sometimes however, biopsies and even cone biopsies must be done. The best time for these biopsies is the early second trimester because the risk for a spontaneous miscarriage has past and cervical manipulation during the third trimester risks premature labor.

If an invasive cancer is diagnosed during pregnancy, the treatment is the same as for those not pregnant. Except, treatment can be delayed until the baby is sufficiently mature to be delivered if the diagnosis is made after the 24th week of pregnancy. The baby will usually reach lung maturity sometime between the 32nd and 36th week.

The best plan is to stay up to date with Pap test screening and prevent the development of this cancer.

I can only relate from my specific experiences as I don't have a strong medical background but when I was diagnosed with cervical cancer at 29 years of age they determined that it was advanced enough that I had to have a hysterectomy. The specialist asked me if I would like to have my tubes "untied?" and take six months or so to attempt to have a baby first.

I believe that if the doctor is willing to wait to do the biopsy until after you have the baby then he must feel pretty confident that the cancer is in the beginning (treatable) stages and the baby will not suffer unduly. You may run a slight risk of an earlier delivery as cervical cancer can cause the cervix to become a little "spongey" and weak.

Hope this eases your mind a bit.

Hugs, Didi

i am 20 weeks pregnant and was told by my doctor that i may have cervical cancer. they are going to check me with a scope next week and then do a biopsy after i have the baby. will the baby be okay? has anyone else had this problem. oh, and i am 22 if that matters.
You and the baby will be fine.