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About Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is cancer of the uterine cervix, the portion of the uterus attached to the top of the vagina. Thanks to improving methods of screening, the incidence of cervical cancer in the United States has been decreasing. According to the National Cancer Institute, approximately 4100 women died of cervical cancer in 2000, a 70% decline from the mid-20th century when advanced screening tools were not available. Cervical cancer when treated in its earliest stages can be cured. However, screening for cervical cancer is very important. 

Risk Factors  

Women with cervical cancer first develop abnormal cell growth on the cervix known as dysplasia. In some instances, especially in younger women, dysplasia may resolve itself without any intervention by your physician. However, follow-up pap smears after the identification of dysplasia are important to make sure that it does not further develop into pre cancerous or cancerous cells. While in its earliest stages cervical cancer is easily treatable.

The following risk factors may make a woman more prone to developing cervical cancer:   

  • Women who had sexual intercourse at a very young age
  • Women with multiple sexual partners or women whose partners have multiple sexual partners
  • Women who not get regular pap smears who may have pre cancerous cells
  • Women who are infected with human papilloma virus (HPV)
  • Women who smoke and have HPV
  • Women with weakened immune systems
  • Women who are infected with other sexually transmitted diseases, such as chlamydia

Symptoms

Women with cervical cancer may not experience any symptoms at all. For this reason, it is important to talk to your doctor about your risk factors and how often you should have a pap smear performed. Some physical symptoms experienced by women include persistent vaginal discharge and abnormal vaginal bleeding.  

  
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