When people think of women’s cancer, most automatically think of breast cancer. But not all female cancers are pink. Some are teal. Did you know that more than 12,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer, and over 4,000 will die from it each year in the United States?
When people think of women’s cancer, most automatically think of breast cancer. But not all female cancers are pink. Some are teal.
Did you know that more than 12,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer, and over 4,000 will die from it each year in the United States?
Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the cells of the cervix — the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. Various strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection, play a role in causing most cervical cancer.
HPV and Cervical Cancer
By age 50, approximately 80 percent of women have been infected with some type of HPV. Most of these women do not develop cervical cancer. 90 percent of HPV infections typically resolve on their own within two years. A small number of women do not clear the HPV virus and are considered to have a “persistent infection.” A woman with a persistent HPV infection is at greater risk of developing cervical cell abnormalities. In a small number of cases, and usually over a long period of time (from several years to several decades), some of these abnormal cells may develop into cervical cancer.
Risk factors contributing to cervical cancer
- Many sexual partners. The greater your number of sexual partners — and the greater your partner’s number of sexual partners — the greater your chance of acquiring HPV.
- Early sexual activity. Having sex at an early age increases your risk of HPV.
- Other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Having other STIs — such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV/AIDS — increases your risk of HPV.
- A weak immune system. You may be more likely to develop cervical cancer if your immune system is weakened by another health condition and you have HPV.
- Smoking. Smoking is associated with squamous cell cervical cancer.
Signs and Symptoms of Cervical Cancer
Early-stage cervical cancer generally produces no signs or symptoms.
Signs and symptoms of more-advanced cervical cancer include:
- Abnormal bleeding, such as
- Bleeding between regular menstrual periods
- Bleeding after sexual intercourse
- Bleeding after douching
- Bleeding after a pelvic exam
- Bleeding after menopause
- Pelvic pain not related to your menstrual cycle
- Heavy or unusual discharge that may be watery, thick, and possibly have a foul odor
- Increased urinary frequency
- Pain during urination
Be aware that these symptoms can also be signs of other health problems. If you experience any of these symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider.
Treatment and Prevention
The good news is that the process leading to cervical cancer can be monitored. When cervical cancer is found early, it is highly treatable and associated with long survival.
In addition to a healthy lifestyle, including eating lots of fruits and vegetables, regular exercise and no smoking, women can reduce their risk of developing cervical cancer by having Pap and HPV screening tests. The Pap test is recommended for all women between the ages of 21 and 65 years old, and is usually performed in a doctor’s office or clinic. The HPV test, which is done in conjunction with the Pap test is recommended for women 30 years of age and over.
For females ages 11 to 26, there is an HPV vaccine which helps prevent infection of some of the highest risk strains of HPV—the strains that cause cervical cancer.
If you are a woman in a high-risk population or 21-65 years old, be sure to schedule your screening tests today. They may just save your life.
For more information about HPV and cervical cancer, click here.