Minority Women's Health

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Cervical Cancer

Minority Women's Health > Hispanic Americans/Latinas > Health Topics > Cervical Cancer

• Resources in English
• Recursos en español

The cervix connects the uterus (where a baby grows) to the vagina (the birth canal). Cervical cancer is a disease in which cancer cells are found in the tissues of the cervix. Before cancer cells are found on the cervix, abnormal cells start to appear. Cancer that goes untreated starts to grow and spread more deeply into the cervix and to nearby areas. Cancer of the cervix usually grows over a period of time.

If found early enough, abnormal cells can be treated before they turn into cancer. Your doctor finds these cells by doing a Pap test.

Get a Pap test every one to three years if you have been sexually active, starting at no later than at 21 years old. After your first Pap test, you should have a Pap test at least once every three years. Talk to your doctor about how often you should have a Pap test and pelvic exam.

Hispanic/Latina women have the highest rates of new cases of cervical cancer and the second highest death rate from cervical cancer (behind African American women). In fact, Hispanic/Latina women are about one and a half times as likely as white women to die from cervical cancer. One reason for this is that Hispanic/Latina women have low rates of Pap testing. It is thought that as many as 80 percent of these deaths could be prevented by regular Pap screening and patient follow-up. There are things you can do to reduce your risk. Limit your sex partners and always use latex condoms.

Almost all cervical cancers are caused by two types of human papillomavirus (HPV), a common virus that is spread through sex. Other types of HPV can cause genital warts. Many types of HPV do not cause problems at all. HPV can’t be cured, but you can talk about treatment options with your doctor if abnormal cells grow.

The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) program provides free or low-cost Pap testing to women who don't have health insurance. To learn more about this program, please contact the CDC at 1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636).

Resources in English

Publications

1.   Cervical Cancer (PDQ®) Treatment - Patients - This publication provides information on cancer of the cervix that is geared towards patients. It includes a definition of cervical cancer, explanations of the different stages of cervical cancer, treatment options, and where to go for more information.

   http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/pdq/treatment/cervical/patient/

2.   Cervical Cancer (PDQ®): Screening - This page-by-page explanation of cervical cancer screening provides information about the risk factors for cervical cancer and the effectiveness of common screening methods.

   http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/pdq/screening/cervical/patient/

3.   Frequently Asked Questions - Cervical Cancer - This easy to read FAQ answers the common questions patients have regarding cervical cancer.

   http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/ccervix.htm

4.   Gynecologic Cancer Awareness - This site is designed to raise awareness about the five major gynecologic cancers (cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, and vulvar). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides information and educational materials for women and health care providers.

   http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/gynecologic.htm

5.   HPV Vaccine Questions and Answers - This fact sheet answers commonly asked questions about the HPV vaccine regarding the causes of HPV, prevention, treatment, and symptoms.

   http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/STDFact-HPV-vaccine.htm

6.   Pap Tests and Cervical Health: A Healthy Habit for You - This booklet provides answers to commonly asked questions about Pap tests, as well as comments from women who have had Pap tests and pelvic exams.

   http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/pap-tests-cervical-health

7.   What You Need To Know About™ Cancer of the Cervix - This booklet on cervical cancer discusses possible causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, emotional issues, and questions to ask the doctor. It includes a glossary of terms and other resources.

   http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/cervix

8. Cervical Cancer Risk Questionnaire (Copyright © HCCP) - This is a questionnaire that can estimate your risk of cervical cancer and help you learn about ways to decrease that risk. It takes only a few minutes to answer quick questions about your health, background, and lifestyle.

   http://www.yourdiseaserisk.wustl.edu/hccpquiz.pl?lang=english&func=home&quiz=cervical...

9. Detailed Guide: Cervical Cancer (Copyright © ACS) - This is a detailed guide with information about cervical cancer. It covers information about its causes, risk factors, prevention, early diagnosis, staging, treatment, and information about where to seek financial assistance.

   http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2_3x.asp?dt=8

10. Understanding HPV (Copyrights © Cleveland Foundation) - This fact sheet contains information on HPV including what is cervical cancer, what is HPV, how common is HPV, how you can get it, symptoms of HPV, how is HPV diagnosed, treatment options and other informative information about the sexually transmitted infection.

    http://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/health-info/docs/3800/3808.asp?index=11901

Organizations

1.   Cancer.gov
2.   National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, NCCDPHP, CDC
3. American Cancer Society
4. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Resource Center
5. National Cervical Cancer Coalition (NCCC)

= Indicates Federal Resources

Recursos en español

Publicaciones

1.   Cáncer del cuello uterino (PDQ ®): Tratamiento - Esta publicación da información general acerca del cáncer del cuello uterino, sus signos, las pruebas que examinan el cuello uterino, los factores de riesgo, y factores que afectan al prognóstico.

   http://www.cancer.gov/espanol/pdq/tratamiento/cuellouterino/patient

2.   Infección genital por VPH - La infección genital por VPH es una enfermedad de transmisión sexual (ETS), causada por el virus del papiloma humano (VPH). La mayoría de las personas que quedan infectadas por VPH no presentarán síntomas y la infección desaparecerá por sí sola.

   http://www.cdc.gov/std/Spanish/STDFact-HPV-s.htm

3.   Lo que usted necesita saber sobre™ el cáncer de cérvix - Este folleto del Instituto Nacional del Cáncer (NCI) le ofrece información importante acerca del cáncer del cuello del útero y sobre algunas condiciones que pueden llevar a esta enfermedad. Tiene información sobre la prevención, síntomas, diagnóstico y tratamiento.

   http://www.cancer.gov/espanol/sabersobre/cervix

4.   Preguntas frecuentes - La prueba de Papanicolaou (Pap) - Esta hoja de datos presenta información acerca de la prueba "Pap," qué es, con qué frecuencia la debe realizar, y qué significarían los resultados. También explica los factores de riesgo relacionados con cáncer del cuello del útero (cérvix).

   http://www.womenshealth.gov/espanol/preguntas/pap.htm

5.   La prueba de Papanicolaou: preguntas y respuestas - Este folleto fácil de leer ofrece información breve y clara sobre quienes necesitan una prueba de Papanicolau, dónde concurrir y la frecuencia con que debe realizarse.

   http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Detection/Pap-test-spanish

6. Tinción de papanicolau: ¿Qué es y qué significan los resultados? (Copyright © AAFP) - Este folleto contiene información sobre los resultados del papanicolau. Explica en detalle que significa tener un papanicolau anormal.

   http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/women/reproductive/gynecologic/138.html...

Organizaciones

1.   Cancer.gov en Español
2.   Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades, HHS
3. Sociedad Americana del Cáncer

= Recurso Federal

Current as of December 2007