CERVICAL CANCER

Cervical cancer is abnormal tissue growth of the uterine cervix. The cervix is the neck of the uterus. When pre-cancer cells are detected in the early stage, the cancer is curable. There are no signs or symptoms related to early cervical cancer, so a pelvic/vaginal exam is needed to look at and test the cervix.

During this exam, cells are gently scraped from the cervix and later examined under a microscope. This is the Pap smear. Although not perfect, it is a good screening tool for cancer and precancer of the cervix. a pap smear is suggested for all women by age 18 or who are sexually active. After 3 or more exams have normal findings, the Pap test may be performed less frequently at the discretion of the healthcare provider.

Women at greater risk for cervical cancer include those who:

have first intercourse at an early age
have many sex partners
smoke cigarettes
have partners who have had many sex partners
have a history of herpes simplex virus, genital warts, HIV, or human papillomaviruses (HPV) or
have had limited access to healthcare

Most low-grade pre-cancerous lesions will disappear with treatment. Some may remain and slowly grow into cervical cancer over several years. If you have an abnormal Pap smear, you may be scheduled for a repeat Pap smear or colposcopy every few months.

A colposcopy is an exam of your cervix by a special set of binoculars. Samples for testing will be taken of the areas that look unusual or abnormal.

Treating a pre-cancer after sampling may include:

waiting and watching with no treatment and more frequent Pap smears
getting rid of the pre-cancer cells by laser or freezing
removing the pre-cancer cells by burning with an electric current or
surgery

For more information, contact your local chapter of the American Cancer Society or the National Cancer Institute at (800) 4-CANCER. Visit their websites at www.cancer.org and www.cancer.gov.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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