What Is Cervical Cancer?

Cancer is the rapid growth of cells. The cervix is located between the vagina and the opening of the uterus. The death rate from cervical cancer has greatly declined in recent years due to early screenings. Finding cancer cells early can allow for treatment to prevent cervical cancer.

Cause

Cervical cancer is caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is generally spread through sexual contact, and most people will contract it in their lifetime. For most people, HPV will cause no problems and go away on its own.

Pap Test

All women over the age of 21 or those who are sexually active should have a pap test. The pap test looks for changes in cervical cells that could lead to cervical cancer. Your doctor will tell you how often you need one.

Rates

The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that about 3,870 women died of cervical cancer in 2008. ACS also notes that cervical cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer deaths in women.

Treatment

Your course of treatment will be determined by your doctor, but the most common treatments are surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.

Prevention

You can reduce your risk for cervical cancer by preventing HPV. The best ways to prevent getting HPV is to abstain from sex. You can also reduce your risk by reducing your number of sexual partners and/or using condoms every time you have sex. Women ages 9 to 26 can also get a vaccine that protects against the two strains of HPV that cause the majority of cervical cancer in the U.S.