January Is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month: What Every Woman Should Know
By Hasan Murshed, MD, Radiation Oncologist
January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month—a time to focus on prevention, early detection, and the life-saving treatments available for cervical cancer. As a radiation oncologist who treats women at all stages of this disease, I want to share the most important information every woman and family should know.
Cervical Cancer Is Highly Preventable
Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by long-term infection with high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV). Fortunately, we have two powerful tools to stop cervical cancer before it starts:
- HPV vaccination, recommended for preteens and young adults
- Routine screening, including Pap tests and HPV testing
When abnormal cells are found early, treatment is often simple and extremely effective.
Why Screening Matters
Cervical cancer often has no symptoms in its early stages. That’s why regular screening is so important. Symptoms that should never be ignored include abnormal vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, or pain during intercourse. Early detection leads to excellent cure rates and better outcomes overall.
Modern Treatment Offers Hope
Radiation therapy plays a key role in treating cervical cancer, especially when the disease is more advanced. Today’s technology allows us to deliver treatment with remarkable precision:
- Image-guided radiation therapy protects healthy organs
- Brachytherapy, a specialized internal radiation, is essential for cure
These advances help improve survival while preserving quality of life.
Breaking Fear and Stigma
A cervical cancer diagnosis can bring fear or embarrassment, but it’s important to know that HPV is extremely common and cervical cancer is not a personal failure. Patients are supported by dedicated care teams focused on both medical and emotional well-being.
Take Action This January
Cervical Cancer Awareness Month is about turning knowledge into action:
- Stay up to date on screening
- Talk with your child or young adult about HPV vaccination
- Share trusted information
- Support those undergoing treatment
Early detection saves lives—and cervical cancer is one disease we truly have the power to prevent.
Local Radiation Oncologist Publishes Book to Train Young Doctors
by: Heather Bazley
Posted: Jul 2, 2025 / 03:45 AM CDT
Updated: Jul 2, 2025 / 03:45 AM CDT
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Dr. Hasan Murshed is turning years of experience into a teaching tool.
He recently published the fourth edition of his book “Fundamentals of Radiation Oncology,” a textbook written to support junior residents preparing for careers in cancer treatment.
Inside the book, it contains real-world guidance on how to recognize cancer symptoms, early treatment options and more.
“The traditional textbooks are heavy. A lot of pages and a lot more information that one might need on a day-to-day basis for clinical practice or during the training time. They may not have time on their hands before they go and see a consult. So this book will definitely help them to, in a quick manner, to look up the information that is most important to diagnose to stage to treat and to look up literature,” Dr. Murshed said.
Dr. Murshed also has a leading role at Hope Regional Cancer Center.
The center is now being recognized as the only facility in Bay County to receive full accreditation from the American College of Radiology in radiation oncology.
It earned its fourth consecutive full accreditation, a national recognition that highlights safety, quality and excellence in patient care.
“We wanted to make sure that, that same care that they may have in Atlanta or in Jacksonville is available for them in Panama City. So we needed to up our care recommendation, support staff and the equipment to maintain a certain level so we can assure our patient and the community that we are providing national standard care in Panama City,” Murshed said.
For over a decade, Hope Regional has served the Bay County area, offering advanced imaging, radiation therapy and a patient-centered approach to care.
If you would like to purchase Dr. Murshed’s book, you can find it on Amazon, Walmart, the publishing company Elsevier and more.
Prevent Cancer: Tips to Living Cancer Free Life
Cancer is a broad term that describes a large group of different diseases. However, all cancer shares few common features, such as, uncontrolled cell growth, abnormal appearance under microscope, and ability to spread to distant organs. In addition, carcinogenesis is a complex process, which includes initiation characterized by DNA mutation either spontaneously or due to exposure to carcinogens; promotion causing cell divisions due to intra or extra cellular stimulus; and progression when cancer cells metastasize to another organ.
To prevent cancers, we first must understand the risk factors for cancers. Although vast majority of cancers arises denovo, there are many known risk factors for cancers as well.
Age and gender, as we grow old our risk for cancer goes up. Some cancers are gender specific such as breast cancer for women and prostate cancer for men. Sunlight causes skin cancer. Tobacco causes lung cancer, and bladder cancer. Alcohol causes head and neck cancer, breast cancer, esophageal cancer, and pancreatic cancer. HPV virus can cause cervical cancer, and head and neck cancer. BRCA 1 and 2 gene mutation can cause breast cancer.
In USA more than 5 million people each year gets skin cancers. More than a million people each year are diagnosed with lung cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and other cancers; more than half a million patients die from cancer each year. Many of these cancers can be prevented.
Skin cancer – follow sun safety such as cover exposed skin when outside, wide brim hat, use SPF 15+ sunscreen every two hours, avoid sun between 10 in the morning and 2 in the afternoon, avoid artificial tanning.
Lung Cancer – avoiding tobacco or stopping tobacco use will reduce lung cancers by 95%.
Breast Cancer – alcohol consumption in moderation, avoiding hormone replacement therapy may reduce breast cancer.
Prostate Cancer – low fat diet, eating more vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower or soy derived food has been linked to reduce incidence of prostate cancer, hormone blocking agents such as finasteride can lower risk of prostate cancer.
Cervical Cancer – HPV vaccines has shown to prevent cervical and head and neck cancer.
Like infectious disease and heart diseases, prevention will be key to reduce incidence and mortality from cancers. The best news is that in last 2 decades deaths from cancers has declined by 33% due to less smoking, early detection, and advancements in cancer treatments.
Hasan Murshed, MD is a cancer specialist and board-certified radiation oncologist. Reach him at (850) 481-1687 or www.HopeRegionalCancerCenter.com. This information is intended for education only. For treatment, seek advice from your physician.