Cervical Cancer

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Cervical cancer is a disease in which cancer cells form in the cervix or the lower part of a woman’s uterus. The American Cancer Society estimates that 11,000 new cases of cervical cancer will be diagnosed this year in the United States, and nearly 3,700 women will die from the disease.

Description

While cervical cancer was once a leading cause of cancer death for women in the mid-1950s, the number of deaths has decreased dramatically due to better testing, early diagnosis and treatment. When found and treated early, cervical cancer often can be cured.

Symptoms

Early changes in the cervix may not cause pain or other symptoms; however, when the disease gets worse, women may notice:

  • Abnormal vaginal bleeding
  • Increased vaginal discharge
  • Pelvic pain
  • Pain during intercourse

If you are suffering from any of these symptoms, please contact your primary health care provider.

Risk Factors

Human papilloma viruses (HPV) – A group of viruses passed from person to person through sexual contact. Some types of HPV can cause changes to the cells in the cervix.

Age – Cervical cancer most often occurs in women over the age of 40.

Weakened immune system – Women with HIV or taking drugs that suppress the immune system have a higher-than-average risk of developing cervical cancer.

Sexual history – Women who have had many sexual partners or have had intercourse with a man who has had many sexual partners may be at a higher risk of developing cervical cancer because they have a higher risk of HPV infection.

Smoking cigarettes – Women with an HPV infection who smoke have a higher than average risk of cervical cancer than women with HPV infection who do not smoke.

Birth Control – Using birth control pills for more than five years may increase the risk of cervical cancer among women with HPV infection.

Child Birth – Multiple child births can increase the chance of developing cervical cancer.

Prevention

The most effective test used for screening for cervical cancer is a Pap test. A Pap test is performed in a physician’s office or clinic as part of a pelvic exam. The physician or nurse scrapes a sample of cells from the cervix with a wooden scraper or small brush, and then smears the cells on a glass slide which is sent to a pathology lab for examination. Experts recommend women have Pap smears at least once every three years, beginning three years after first intercourse or age 21, whichever comes first.

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