Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be nearly 14,000 new cases of cervical cancer in the US in 2023.
Early detection increases the likelihood of successful treatment for cervical cancer. There are tests that can find cervical cancer early, like the Pap and HPV tests. The Pap test (or Pap smear) looks for precancerous cells that might become cervical cancer if they are not treated appropriately. The HPV test looks for the human papillomavirus that can cause cervical cells to change.
Besides getting routine screenings, knowing the warning signs of cervical cancer is crucial. This article will examine those signs and how health care providers find, treat and prevent cervical cancer.
What Is Cervical Cancer?
Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that affects the cells of the cervix. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina.
Often, the early stages of cervical cancer don’t cause any symptoms. Because of this, women need to get regular screenings and exams from their providers.
If cervical cancer is detected early, the treatment can be more effective. But if not treated, it can spread to other parts of the body and be very dangerous.
What Are the Risk Factors?
The Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection causes over 95% of cervical cancer cases. HPV is a sexually transmitted disease.
The two types of cancer-causing HPV are HPV16 and HPV18. These types comprise about half of all HPV infections.
Other risk factors for cervical cancer include:
- Smoking
- Weakened immune system
- Sexual history
- Birth control pills (very rare)
What Are the Warning Signs of Cervical Cancer?
Cervical cancer rarely shows any signs at first. Symptoms usually happen when the cancer has already spread. Thus, it’s essential to get checked by a health care provider regularly and to know the warning signs.
Here are five warning signs of cervical cancer:
- Abnormal bleeding from the vagina
Talking to a healthcare provider is essential if new and unusual bleeding occurs. Suspicious signs are bleeding after sex, between periods, or spotting after menopause.
- Abnormal discharge from the vagina
While discharge is normal, pay attention to unusual changes in color or smell. A foul-smelling, brown or bright red discharge is suspicious. It requires further examination by a health care professional.
- Pain during sex
Because of the tumor growth in the cervix and nearby organs, sex may be painful for those with more advanced cervical cancer.
- Changes in bathroom habits
If the cancer spreads to the kidneys, bladder or colon, urinating or having a bowel movement may be painful. Look for blood or other abnormalities.
- Pelvic pain
Pelvic or back pain can mean changes in the cervix and reproductive organs. The pain could be dull or sharp and, most likely, persistent.
Remember that these symptoms might mean other things too, so talking to a health care provider is necessary.
How Is It Diagnosed?
One of the most common ways to detect cervical cancer is the Pap test (or Pap smear). This test finds cells that could turn into cancer before they do.
The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology says women should get a routine Pap test every three years for ages 21-29 and every five years for ages 30-65.
To do the test, the health care provider takes a swab to collect cells from the cervix. Then, the lab looks at the cells to see if they’re normal.
Another way to detect cervical cancer is through the human papillomavirus (HPV) test. This exam looks for the virus in cells collected from the cervix. A biopsy may be recommended if the test shows an abnormal area. A biopsy involves taking a small tissue sample from the cervix to look for cancer cells.
To find cervical cancer, health care providers might also use X-rays, CT scans, or MRI scans to look for tumors or other signs of cancer.
How Is Cervical Cancer Treated?
If cervical cancer is present, the best treatment will depend on the stage of the cancer. Health care providers might use surgery to remove the tumor or remove the whole uterus.
Other treatment options are radiation therapy, brachytherapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
Early detection and proper treatment make living a full and healthy life possible after a cervical cancer diagnosis.
Can Cervical Cancer Be Prevented?
It’s important to get regular Pap smears to detect cervical cancer early. Your gynecologist can do these for you. There are also clinics that offer free screenings throughout the year.
Another way to reduce the risk of cervical cancer is to get vaccinated against HPV. Since HPV is one of the leading causes of cervical cancer, vaccines can help protect against it.
Reducing risk factors is also vital. Not smoking, having fewer sexual partners and using condoms can reduce the risk of cervical cancer.
Following these steps can lower the risk of getting cervical cancer. Talk to a health care provider to learn more about reducing the risk and getting regular Pap smears.
More to Read
- Do I Have an STI? Learn to Recognize STI Symptoms
- Why Are Uterine Cancer Cases Rising?
- The Importance of Urology Health
- Urinary Tract Infections: Prevention is Key
Medically reviewed by Erika A. Borlie, DNP, MS, WHNP-BC.
