Cervical Cancer

This information was provided with permission from The Gynecologic Cancer Foundation.

Cervical cancer is a cancer that begins in the cervix, the part of the uterus or womb that opens to the vagina. Cervical cancer is caused by abnormal cellular changes in the cervix and is the only gynecologic cancer that can be prevented by regular screening. Now, in addition to screening, women can be protected by early vaccination with a new vaccine that targets the causative agent of cervical cancer, Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Early vaccination with regular screening and HPV testing when recommended by a woman’s health care provider is now the best way to prevent cervical cancer. Cervical cancer usually affects women between the ages of 30 and 55, but has been found as early as the teen years.

Symptoms: Bleeding after intercourse, excessive discharge and abnormal bleeding between periods.

Risk Factors: Infection with persistent high-risk HPV has been shown to cause virtually all cervical cancer. However, HPV is very common and most women with HPV will never get any cervical disease. Smoking ranks second as a risk factor for developing cervical cancer. Other risk factors include HIV infection and early age of intercourse. Failure to get regular gynecologic examinations eliminates the opportunity for early diagnosis through cervical cancer screening.

Screening/Prevention: Over the last 50 years, routine use of the Pap test to screen for cervical cancer has reduced deaths from the disease by 74 percent. A Pap test is a standard way health care providers can check to see if there are any cervical cell changes that might cause concern. The Pap test involves looking at a sample of cells from the cervix under a microscope to see if there are any that are abnormal. It is a good test for finding not only cancer, but also finding cells that might become cancerous in the future. 

Usually health care providers perform the Pap test as part of a routine pelvic exam. It is important for women to know if a Pap test was performed because it is possible to have a pelvic exam without a Pap test. It is also important that women know and understand the meaning of their Pap test results, and follow through with any recommendations made by their health care provider. .

One of the most significant advances in the fight against cervical cancer is the development of HPV vaccines. In June 2006, one of these vaccines, Gardasil®, was approved by the FDA for use in women and girls ages 9-26. In large clinical trials, the vaccine was found to be very effective in protecting women from developing precancerous lesions of the cervix, vulva and vagina. The most effective strategy to prevent cervical cancer combines early vaccination with regular screening, including a Pap test and HPV test administered according to standard guidelines.

Incidence: It is estimated that there will be over 12,700 new cases of cervical cancer diagnosed and approximately 4,200 deaths in the United States during 2011. (American Cancer Society)