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What Is Cervical Cancer?
Cervical cancer is abnormal tissue growth of the uterine cervix. The cervix is the neck of the uterus. When pre-cancer cells are detected in the early stage, the cancer is curable. There are no signs or symptoms related to early cervical cancer, so a pelvic/vaginal exam is needed to look at and test the cervix.

During this exam, cells are gently scraped from the cervix and later examined under a
microscope. This is the Pap smear. Although not perfect, it is a good screening tool for cancer and precancer of the cervix. a pap smear is suggested for all women by age 18 or who are sexually active. After 3 or more exams have normal findings, the Pap test may be performed less frequently at the discretion of the health care provider.

Women at greater risk for cervical cancer include those who:

  • have first intercourse at an early age
  • have many sex partners
  • smoke cigarettes
  • have partners who have had many sex partners
  • have a history of herpes simplex virus, genital warts, HIV, or human papillomaviruses (HPV) or have had limited access to health care

Most low-grade pre-cancerous lesions will disappear with treatment. Some may remain and slowly grow into cervical cancer over several years. If you have an abnormal Pap smear, you may be scheduled for a repeat Pap smear or colposcopy every few months.

A colposcopy is an exam of your cervix by a special set of binoculars. Samples for testing will be taken of the areas that look unusual or abnormal.

Treating a pre-cancer after sampling may include:

  • waiting and watching with no treatment and more frequent Pap smears
  • getting rid of the pre-cancer cells by laser or freezing
  • removing the pre-cancer cells by burning with an electric current or
  • surgery

For more information, contact your health care provider. Additional resources include your local chapter of the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute at (800) 4-CANCER. Visit their websites at www.cancer.org and www.cancer.gov.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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