Did You Know?
- Cancer of the cervix is a cancer beginning in the lining of the cervix
- Cervical cancers do not form suddenly; there is a gradual change from a normal cervix to precancer to cancer
- Some women with precancerous changes of the cervix will develop cancer; this usually takes several years but sometimes can happen in less than a year
- The American Cancer Society estimates that during 2000, about 12,800 cases of invasive cervical cancer will be diagnosed in the United States
- About 4,600 women will die from cervical cancer in the United States during 2000
- Cervical cancer was once one of the most common causes of cancer death for American women
- Between 1955 and 1992, the number of cervical cancer deaths in the United States declined by 74%
- The main reason for this change is the increased use of the Pap test, a screening procedure that permits diagnosis of pre-invasive and early invasive cancer
- The death rate continues to decline at a rate of about 2% a year
- Precancerous and cancerous changes of the cervix can usually be found by the Pap test (also called a Pap smear)
- Early detection is the key
The Pap Test
- Why It's So Important
- Cervical cancer deaths are higher in populations around the world where women do not have access to routine Pap tests
- Between 60% and 80% of American women with newly diagnosed invasive cervical cancer have not had a Pap smear in the past 5 years, and many of these women have never had a Pap test
- In particular, elderly, African-American, and low-income women are less likely to have regular Pap tests
- Cervical precancers and early cancers usually show no symptoms or signs; a woman usually develops symptoms when the cancer has become invasive
- The Pap test, or Pap smear, is a way to check cells from the cervix (the lower part of the uterus or womb) and the vagina
- The Pap test can also find some infections of the cervix and vagina
- Early detection greatly improves the chances of successful treatment
Signs & Symptoms
- An unusual discharge from the vagina (separate from your normal monthly menstrual period) can be a sign of cervical cancer
- Bleeding following intercourse is a common symptom; pain during intercourse may also indicate cervical cancer
- If you have any of these signs or other suspicious symptoms, it is important that you see your health care provider right away
- Don't wait for symptoms to appear. Have a regular Pap test and pelvic examination
Risk Factors For Cervical Cancer
- In considering these risk factors, it is useful to focus primarily on those that can be changed or avoided (such as smoking and sexual behaviors that can lead to human papillomavirus infection) rather than
those that cannot (such as differences in age and race)
- Average age of women newly diagnosed with cervical cancer is between 50 and 55 years; risk is fairly low for girls under 15 but increases between the late teens and mid-thirties
- Race: the death rate for African Americans is over twice the national average; Hispanics and American Indians also have cervical cancer death rates that are above average
- HPV: the most important risk factor for cervical cancer is infection by human papillomavirus
- Smokers are about twice as likely as nonsmokers to get cervical cancer
- HIV: because this virus damages the body's immune system, it makes women more susceptible to HPV infections, which may increase the risk of cervical cancer
- Diet: Women with poor diets may be at increased risk for cervical cancer
Sources For More Information on Cervical Cancer
Information on this page has been taken from American Cancer Society and National Cancer Institute resources.
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