Cervical Cancer Overview
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Cervical cancer begins in the cervix, the part of the uterus or womb that opens to the vagina.
Every year, almost 11,000 women in the United States get cervical cancer and over 3,700 women die from it. In the United States, the Pap test saves the lives of 70% of the women who might have died from cervical cancer without the test. Recent advances in screening and the availability of a vaccine hold the promise to wipe out cervical cancer. World wide, cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women.
A virus—the Human Papillomavirus, or HPV—causes almost all cases of cervical cancer. HPV is a common sexually transmitted virus. Most people with HPV never even know they have it. An HPV infection rarely leads to cervical cancer. In most women, the cells in the cervix return to normal after the body’s immune system destroys the HPV infection. However, some HPV infections do not go away and may remain present in the cervical cells for years. Long-standing infection can lead to changes in the cells that can progress to cancer.
Cervical cancer is a disease that YOU have the power to control. You can prevent cervical cancer with three steps. First, make sure you get the cervical cancer vaccine if you are eligible. This vaccine is recommended for 11 and 12 year old girls and is approved for girls and women ages 9 – 26. Secondly, get your annual check up and regular Pap test. Women should start having Pap tests at age 18 or within 3 years of starting sexual activity, whichever comes first. In their 20’s, women should have a Pap test every year or two, depending on the type of Pap test being used. At 30, your doctor may recommend having a Pap test only every 2 or 3 years depending on your Pap test history and your own experiences. Thirdly, get an HPV test when recommended. An HPV test is available, for women over 30, to tell you and your health care provider if you have one of the HPV types that is more likely to cause cancer. It is usually conducted at the same time as the Pap test. Talk to your doctor about these three important steps.
If you have an abnormal Pap test or have been diagnosed with cervical cancer, treatment is available. This site has lots of information on procedures and treatments.
Detailed information about cervical cancer is available from the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation’s cervical cancer Web site, www.cervicalcancercampaign.org. There you will find detailed information on cervical cancer facts, HPV facts, the cervical cancer vaccine, cervical cancer symptoms, treatments for cervical cancer, screening for cervical cancer, educational presentations, and about the national cervical cancer campaign. By clicking on any of these links you will leave the womenscancernetwork.org site. However, you will find an easy return link to get back to this site. Thanks for visiting.
