January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

Cervical cancer once was the leading cause of cancer deaths in women in the United States. However, during the past four decades cervical cancer cases and deaths have declined significantly because of widespread Pap testing. In the United States, cervical cancer cases decreased by 3.7% per year and cervical cancer deaths decreased by 3.7% per year from 1996 to 2004.

Getting regular Pap tests can save a woman's life. Six out of ten cervical cancers occur in women who have never had a Pap test or have not been screened in the past five years.

Regular Pap tests lower a woman's risk of cervical cancer because they can find early problems before cancer ever develops.

Cervical Cancer Facts

• Any woman can get cervical cancer (except those who have had their cervix removed).

• Most often, cervical cancer develops in women aged 30 or older.

• Cervical cancer often does not cause symptoms. That's why getting screened for cervical cancer is important.

• Most deaths from cervical cancer can be avoided if women are screened regularly and receive needed testing or treatment for abnormal results.

How to Lower Your Risk

The human papillomavirus (HPV), a common virus that can be passed from one person to another during sex, is the main cause for cervical cancer. More than half of sexually active men and women will get HPV at some point in their lives. Although the majority of HPV infections cause no symptoms and go away on their own, some HPV infections can linger and, over time, may cause cervical cancer in women.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved an HPV vaccine that protects against the types of HPV that most often cause cervical cancer. The vaccine is recommended for girls 11 to 12 years old. It can also be given to females as young as 9, or to those who are 13 through 26 who did not get the vaccine when they were younger. All women receiving the HPV vaccine should continue to be screened regularly for cervical cancer since the vaccine does not protect against all cervical cancers.

All cervical cancers are caused by HPV infection. There are other factors that can increase a woman's risk of developing cervical cancer. A woman can best protect herself from cervical cancer by:

• Getting the HPV vaccine, if age 9-26 years.

• Having regular Pap tests—either alone or with the HPV test, a second cervical cancer screening test.

• Following up any abnormal Pap test results as recommended by your doctor.

• Not smoking.

• Using condoms all the time and correctly during sex.*

• Limiting the number of sexual partners.

Pap Test

The Pap test, also called the Pap smear, is done in a doctor's office or a clinic. The Pap test looks for abnormal cells on a woman’s cervix, which could become cancer over time. If the results of a Pap test show there are abnormal cells that could become cancerous, a doctor will determine if these changes need to be treated (removed or destroyed). In most cases, treatment prevents cervical cancer from developing.

Pap tests can also find cervical cancer early. When it is found early and treated appropriately, the chance of being cured is very high.

The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) offers free or low-cost Pap tests. To find out if you qualify, call your local program.

HPV Test

The HPV test is a cervical cancer screening test that looks for the virus that can cause cell changes. It is also done in a doctor’s office or a clinic, much like the Pap test. The HPV test may be used for screening women aged 30 years and older, or for those ages 21 and older who have unclear Pap test results.

View and download the NEW cervical cancer fact sheet ( 270KB, 2 pages) for the basic facts on this preventable cancer.

* HPV infection can occur in both male and female genital areas that are covered or protected by a latex condom, as well as in areas that are not covered. While the effect of condoms in preventing HPV infection is unknown, condom use has been associated with a lower rate of cervical cancer.

For More Information

• Cervical Cancer; in Spanish, Cáncer de cuello uterino
• Common Questions about HPV and Cervical Cancer
• HPV Vaccination
• Reducing Risk, HPV; in Spanish, Reducir el riesgo, VPH
• National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP)
• Pap Test Rates and Foreign-Born Women, 7 minutes
• Cervical Cancer, 5 minutes