More than 12,000 women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) in the U.S. are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year but misinformation about the disease remains. Read on to get the facts and learn what you can do stay healthy and disease-free.
Q: What is cervical cancer?
A: Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the cells of the cervix, the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. The CDC estimates that nearly 90% of cervical cancers are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), which is most often spread through sexual contact.
Q: Can cervical cancer be prevented?
Yes! There is a highly-effective and safe vaccine against HPV. HPV infection doesn’t just cause cervical cancer, it’s responsible for several types of, anal, vulvar, vaginal, penile and throat cancers. The HPV vaccine is recommended for boys and girls aged 9-12, but unvaccinated adults can still benefit up to age 45. Ask your doctor about whether you can benefit from the vaccine
Q: What are the symptoms or signs of cervical cancer?
In the earliest stages, most women will have no symptoms. In later stages, symptoms may include:
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding
- Unusual vaginal discharge
- Pain during sex
- Pelvic pain
- Leg pain or swelling
Q: How is cervical cancer detected? And who should be tested?
Right now the most reliable method of cervical cancer detection is a Pap test (also known as Pap smear). During a Pap test, your doctor takes a sample of cells from your cervix with a small brush. The cells are then tested for abnormalities that indicate cancer or precancerous changes that need further investigation.
How often you should be tested depends on your risk level and medical history, but the following guidelines apply for those with an average risk:
- 21–29 years old: Pap test every 3 years.
- 30–65 years old: Pap test very 3 years or a combined Pap test and HPV test every 5 years.
- Over 65: You may stop having Pap tests if you have had regular normal results.
Remember that screening guidelines evolve as we learn more about the disease. This is true for cervical cancer as well. Some experts now recommend that women 30 and older receive HPV testing along, ask your doctor if HPV screening can be part of your screening once you turn 30. Knowing your HPV status will determine how and when you will need follow-up screening.
Q. If I have an abnormal Pap test or my HPV test comes back positive, what happens next?
A. Your doctor will perform one of the following tests:
- Colposcopy: Examines your cervix for abnormal cells with a special microscope.
- Cone biopsy (conization) or LEEP (loop electrosurgical excision procedure): Removes a cone-shaped area of cervical cells. This procedure allows your doctor to obtain deeper layers of cervical cells for testing.
Q. What treatments are available for cervical cancer?
A. If you’re diagnosed with cervical cancer, you’ll be referred to a gynecologic oncologist who specializes in treating gynecological cancers. Your doctor work with you on a treatment plan which may include surgery to remove any tumors, radiation, chemotherapy or immunotherapy.
New research published in the New England Journal of Medicine has shown that for early cervical cancer (small cancers less than 2 cm) a simple hysterectomy with node dissection has an equivalent outcome to a radical hysterectomy without the adverse impacts on sexual health or issues with chronic constipation and urine incontinence that can accompany the more invasive surgery.
Remember, prevention is the best medicine. Get vaccinated against HPV and get screened.
Learn more about preventing and treating gynecologic cancers
