Depending on the type of hysterectomy you have had, it is possible to still develop cervical cancer. It is also possible for cancer to return in your lymph nodes even after your cervix has been removed, according to the Mayo Clinic. It is important to understand the lasting effects the surgery may have on your body.
Identification
A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of your uterus to relieve conditions such as endometriosis, fibroids or excessive menstrual bleeding. Hysterectomies stop menstruation and render you unable to get pregnant.
Types
A partial hysterectomy removes the uterus, but the ovaries, fallopian tubes and cervix are untouched; total hysterectomy removes the uterus and cervix, but the ovaries and fallopian tubes remain; total hysterectomy with salpingo-oophorectomy (the medical term for removing the fallopian tubes and ovaries) removes the uterus, cervix, one or both ovaries and the fallopian tubes; a radical hysterectomy removes the uterus, cervix, ovaries, fallopian tubes and some lymph nodes.
Pap Tests
The type of hysterectomy determines if you can still develop cervical cancer. If the hysterectomy did not remove your cervix, or if the cause of the hysterectomy was cervical cancer, then you still need pap smears, which test for cervical cancer. If your hysterectomy was due to cancer, then you may need to have annual tests to make sure the cancer does not return.
Annual Exams
Even if you do not need an annual pap smear, all women who have hysterectomies still need annual exams. While a pap smear tests for cervical cancer, the annual exam allows the doctor to check for other potential problems.
Considerations
If you don't know whether you should still get pap tests, check with your doctor.
Tags: fallopian tubes, cervical cancer, ovaries fallopian, ovaries fallopian tubes, removes uterus, hysterectomy removes