Inside Knowledge 2018 Cervical Cancer Factsheet

1 Cervical Cancer . Get the Facts About Gynecologic Cancer There are five main types of Cancer that affect a woman's reproductive organs: Cervical , ovarian, uterine, vaginal, and vulvar. As a group, they are referred to as gynecologic (GY-neh-kuh-LAH-jik) Cancer . (A sixth type of gynecologic Cancer is the very rare fallopian tube Cancer .). This fact sheet about Cervical Cancer is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Inside Knowledge : Get the Facts About Gynecologic Cancer campaign. The campaign helps women get the facts about gynecologic Cancer , providing important Inside Knowledge about their bodies and health. What is Cervical Cancer ? Who gets Cervical Cancer ?

2 Cancer is a disease in which cells All women are at risk for Cervical Are there tests that can prevent in the body grow out of control. Cancer . It occurs most often in Cervical Cancer or find it early? Cancer is always named for the women over age 30. Each year, part of the body where it starts, approximately 12,000 women in the There are two tests that can either even if it spreads to other body United States get Cervical Cancer . help prevent Cervical Cancer or parts later. The human papillomavirus (HPV) find it early: When Cancer starts in the is the main cause of Cervical The Pap test (or Pap smear) looks cervix, it is called Cervical Cancer . Cancer . HPV is a common virus for precancers, cell changes, on The cervix is the lower, narrow that is passed from one person to the cervix that can be treated, so end of the uterus.

3 The cervix another during sex. Most sexually connects the vagina (the birth active people will have HPV at that Cervical Cancer is prevented. canal) to the upper part of the some point in their lives, but few The Pap test also can find Cervical uterus. The uterus (or womb) women will get Cervical Cancer . Cancer early, when treatment is is where a baby grows when a most effective. The Pap test is woman is pregnant. What are the symptoms? recommended for women aged Cervical Cancer is the easiest Early on, Cervical Cancer may 21-65 years old. gynecologic Cancer to prevent not cause signs and symptoms. The Pap test only screens for with regular screening tests and Advanced Cervical Cancer may Cervical Cancer .

4 It does not screen follow-up. It also is highly curable cause bleeding or discharge from for any other gynecologic Cancer . when found and treated early. the vagina that is not normal for you, such as bleeding after sex. If you have The HPV test looks for HPV . any of these signs, see your doctor. the virus that can cause They may be caused by something precancerous cell changes other than Cancer , but the only and Cervical Cancer . way to know is to see your doctor. Fallopian Tube Inside Knowledge is an initiative Ovary that supports the Gynecologic Uterus Cancer Education and Awareness Cervix Act of 2005, or Johanna's Law, Vagina which was unanimously passed Vulva by the House and Senate in December of 2006, and signed 800-CDC-INFO into law in January 2007.

5 What raises a woman's chance women who are vaccinated of getting Cervical Cancer ? against HPV need to have When should I get tested regular Pap tests to screen for Almost all Cervical cancers are for Cervical Cancer ? Cervical Cancer . To learn more caused by HPV. You are more likely about the HPV vaccine visit The Pap test is one of the most to get HPV if you started having reliable and effective Cancer sex at an early age, or if you or your partner have had sex with several Don't smoke. screening tests available. You should start getting regular Pap others. However, any woman who Use condoms during sex.*. tests at age 21. If your Pap test has ever had sex is at risk for HPV.

6 Limit your number of sexual results are normal, your doctor There are many types of HPV. partners. may say that you will not need Usually HPV will go away on its another Pap test for three years. own, but if it does not, it may cause * HPV infection can occur in both male and female genital areas that are covered or Cervical Cancer over time. protected by a latex condom, as well as in The HPV test can be used to areas that are not covered. While the effect screen for Cervical Cancer along In addition to having HPV, these of condoms in preventing HPV infection is unknown, condom use has been associated with the Pap test in women aged things also can increase your risk with a lower rate of Cervical Cancer .

7 30 years and older. It also is used of Cervical Cancer : to provide more information when Smoking. What should I do if my doctor women aged 21 years and older Having HIV (the virus that causes says I have Cervical Cancer ? have unclear Pap test results. AIDS) or another condition that If your doctor says that you have If you are age 30 or older, you may makes it hard for your body to Cervical Cancer , ask to be referred to choose to have an HPV test along fight off health problems. a gynecologic oncologist a doctor with the Pap test. If the results are Using birth control pills for a long who has been trained to treat cancers normal, your chance of getting time (five or more years).

8 Like this. This doctor will work with Cervical Cancer in the next few Having given birth to three or you to create a treatment plan. years is very low. Your doctor may more children. then say that you can wait up to Where can I find free or five years for your next screening . How can I prevent Cervical low-cost Pap tests? For women aged 21-65, it is Cancer ? If you have a low income or do not important to continue getting See your doctor regularly for have insurance, you may be able a Pap test as directed by your a Pap test that can find Cervical to get a free or low-cost Pap test doctor even if you think you are through the National Breast and precancers. too old to have a child or are not Cervical Cancer Early Detection having sex anymore.

9 However, Follow up with your doctor, if your Program. To learn more, call your doctor may tell you that you Pap test results are not normal. 800-CDC-INFO or visit do not need to have a Pap test if Get the HPV vaccine. It protects either of these is true for you: against the types of HPV that You are older than 65 and have most often cause Cervical , had normal Pap test results for vaginal, and vulvar cancers. It Where can I find more is recommended for preteens information about Cervical and several years. (both boys and girls) aged 11. You have had your cervix other gynecologic cancers? to 12 years, but can be given removed as part of a total as early as age 9 and until age Centers for Disease Control and hysterectomy for non-cancerous 26.

10 The vaccine is given in a Prevention: 800-CDC-INFO or conditions, like fibroids. series of either two or three shots, depending on age. It is National Cancer Institute: important to note that even 800-4- Cancer or 800-CDC-INFO. Get the Facts About Gynecologic Cancer CDC Publication #99-9123, Revised December 2016.