Cervical Cancer is one of the most common cancer among women. It is one of the leading cause of cancer related mortality especially in low and middle income women worldwide. This type of cancer arise from the cervix which is between the area of the vagina and uterus of a female’s body. The cervix has two parts. The one closest to the body of the uterus is called endocervix. The part next to the vagina is exocervix.
Cervical cancer is ultimately a preventable disease particularly in the high developed areas. Though the burden of this disease remains in low and middle income countries, but various institutions have studied and developed different methods to help solve the problem of this life threatening disease. Several techniques were introduced to eradicate the burden. Two of the methods are Thermocoagulation and Cryotherapy.
Facts about thermocoagulation: Thermocoagulation is an alternative treatment procedure in a screen-and-treat program of cervical screening. The procedure is intended to conduct monopolar electrosurgical energy from an electrosurgical generator to target the tissue.. Numerous benefits of this method has recently gained a great deal of interest.
1. Affordable
Thermocoagulation is found to be an affordable cancer technology. This method is a low-cost alternative to address this cancer type which could lead to death if diagnosis and treatment is undone. Various medical companies made an effort to invent devices for a rapid low-cost methods to early detection, prevention and treatment.
2. Portable
Latest technology have devices that is portable. It is a hand-held treatment device
That may solve the problem to combat the disease. It can be placed in a backpack. It can be easily carried to remote areas for screening and treatment of cervical precancer.
3. Minimal use of electricity
Basically more women develop cervical cancer due to lack of accessibility to the screening and detection. To approach this dilemma, medical companies have invented a device for cervical cancer detection and treatment that is portable and uses a battery, eliminating the need for electricity. The battery-powered devices have a heating element to eliminate lesions before they develop to cancer.
4. Painless
Compare to the conventional method of therapy, thermocoagulation is claimed to be painless. There may be a slight discomfort throughout thermocoagulation, but the pain is tolerable. It does not require anesthesia for this procedure.
5. Minimal adverse reaction
Thermocoagulation reports no serious adverse events during the procedure. Even upon followup treatment, this method shows minimal side-effects and requires no hospitalization.
Facts about cryotherapy: Another method of for screening and treatment is Cryotherapy. This is an alternative method for the destruction of the lesions causing the cancer by destroying abnormal tissues on the cervix by freezing.
1. Can be repeated
This is one advantage of cryotherapy. The procedure can be repeated as needed. Unlike the conventional method that the procedure is risky. Cryotherapy is only a freezing treatment.
2. Less expensive
Compared to other treatment for cervical precancer, cryotherapy is less expensive. It can be done using a local anesthesia. The equipment is also affordable compared to surgery as the tradition method of treatment.
3. Safe
One good thing about cryotherapy is that it is a safe procedure. This method is recommended to patients who are not good candidates for conventional surgery. It can be performed on patients over a large age range and those with medical conditions.
4. Transportable
Although this method is bulky and heavy due to the large bulky refrigerant gas tanks, but can be transported if needed.
5. Shorter recovery period
Though there are some side-effects of this therapy, but the recovery period is shorter compared to conventional surgery. The freezing treatment aids in the fast recovery of the lesion. It uses refrigerant gas to destroy the abnormal cells. With this method, the cervical cancer recovery rate is high.
Bottom Line
With modern technology, cervical cancer is being eradicated, early detection is easy and treatment can be also readily available.
Thermocoagulation and Cryotherapy give women a variety of benefits. Both have a proven track record in treating cervical lesions.
Respond to treatment varies and depends on the stage of cancer and health conditions of each individual.
