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What is Cervical Cancer?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Cervical cancer is a common cancer that can at first affect the cervix, the area attached to and lying just below the uterus, and then can spread to the uterus, the vaginal wall, and metastasize to other parts of the body. In recent years, the medical community has made huge leaps forward in being able to recognize the predominant risk factor for cervical cancer, which is contraction of several forms of human papillomavirus (HPV). In most cases of this condition, women also test positive for an earlier infection of HPV, which is often without symptoms. Not all cases of cervical cancer are caused by HPV and there are people who get HPV and don’t get this cancer. However, the risk factor increases significantly for those who have had HPV, and there is now a vaccination for these forms of HPV that may greatly decrease risk.

In the US alone, about 11,000 women yearly receive a diagnosis of cancer of the cervix, and of these cases, as many as 4,000 of these women may die. With yearly visits to gynecologists and yearly pap smears, it can be very easy to diagnose early stage cancer when it is most treatable. Since scientists have discovered the HPV connection, women at risk may also be asked to take an HPV blood test at a lab to rule out this risk factor for the condition. It’s important to note that even if you don’t test positive for HPV, you can still develop cervical cancer. Other risk factors like becoming sexually active at a young age, having multiple partners, having unsafe sex, and smoking can increase risk for the condition.

Regular gynecological screenings can usually detect early stage cervical cancer.
Regular gynecological screenings can usually detect early stage cervical cancer.

Early stage cancer of the cervix, where a few abnormal cells are present, often has few symptoms. As the cancer progresses and these few cells turn into squamous cell lesions, then tumors, and begin affecting the uterus, pelvis, and metastasizing, other symptoms begin to emerge. Vaginal bleeding in between periods, or after you’ve gone through menopause may occur. It may be painful to have intercourse, and the intercourse may cause yet more bleeding. Women may also note slightly watery discharge tinged with blood that may smell bad. Noting any of these symptoms means you should see a gynecologist right away, even if your pap smears have been normal in the past.

A gynecologist helps women lead healthy lives through regular check-ups and preventative care.
A gynecologist helps women lead healthy lives through regular check-ups and preventative care.

Once this cancer has been detected, additional tests help to confirm diagnosis and determine the stage of the cancer. These tests include a physical exam, biopsies of any areas that appear cancerous, and a procedure called conization or cone biopsy, which removes a conical piece of tissue from the cervix. You may also expect to undergo more blood tests, x-rays, and various body scans to look for areas of cancer outside the cervix.

The cervix lies between the vagina and uterus.
The cervix lies between the vagina and uterus.

Treatment of the condition depends much on the stage of the cancer. When the cancer is in early stages, conization, laser surgery or cryosurgery (freezing the cells) can remove abnormal cells from the outside of the cervix. Once the cancer has moved more deeply into the cervix or is affecting the uterus, a hysterectomy is almost always called for, and if the cancer has metastasized, women may also need to undergo radiation and/or chemotherapy to kill cancerous cells. The best treatment options are available for those who have this condition diagnosed early, which is why it cannot be emphasized enough that regular gynecological exams and pap smears are important.

A pap smear tests for cervical cancer.
A pap smear tests for cervical cancer.

For many women who have cervical cancer, having a child in the future may be difficult or impossible. When the condition is caught in early stages, removal of abnormal cells or conization, and even removal of most of the cervix doesn’t mean you can’t get pregnant. Yet since the cervix is essentially the holding point for a growing fetus, pregnancies are much more likely to miscarry. Obviously more significant treatment, like hysterectomy, means pregnancy is not possible.

X-rays might be used to check for cancer outside of the cervix.
X-rays might be used to check for cancer outside of the cervix.

The HPV vaccination may be the best chance of preventing cervical cancer, although it is certainly not a license to have unprotected sex, and it is not a 100% guarantee that cancer won’t occur. Some parents believe the vaccination will give kids license to engage in sex early or send a mixed message to their children, and are wary of having their daughters vaccinated. It should be noted that HPV may be contracted by skin-to-skin contact and does not necessarily have to be contracted through standard sexual intercourse. Girls and boys should be counseled to abstain from sex and wait, since multiple sex partners and early sexual intercourse increases risk of HPV infection for both. Those who are sexually active should always use condoms, which may decrease HPV infection risk, in addition to protecting both men and women from other sexually transmitted diseases.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent TheHealthBoard contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent TheHealthBoard contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon85112

I have just got home from seeing my doctor after having my regular pap smear.The doctor noted after she took a sample that it was brown colored, and she said that I do not have a infection, and suggested I go and have an ultrasound done.

I had pre-cancer cells detected on my cervix 21 years ago so I had a hysterectomy leaving my ovaries.

Now this has happened, I am so worried! need I be?

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    • Regular gynecological screenings can usually detect early stage cervical cancer.
      By: dalaprod
      Regular gynecological screenings can usually detect early stage cervical cancer.
    • A gynecologist helps women lead healthy lives through regular check-ups and preventative care.
      By: goodluz
      A gynecologist helps women lead healthy lives through regular check-ups and preventative care.
    • The cervix lies between the vagina and uterus.
      By: Alila Medical Media
      The cervix lies between the vagina and uterus.
    • A pap smear tests for cervical cancer.
      By: Zsolnai Gergely
      A pap smear tests for cervical cancer.
    • X-rays might be used to check for cancer outside of the cervix.
      By: andreaxt
      X-rays might be used to check for cancer outside of the cervix.
    • Becoming sexually active young or having multiple partners can increase a person's risk of cervical cancer.
      By: Coka
      Becoming sexually active young or having multiple partners can increase a person's risk of cervical cancer.
    • Cervical cancer can often be treated on an outpatient basis if detected early.
      By: JackF
      Cervical cancer can often be treated on an outpatient basis if detected early.
    • Women with cervical cancer have a much better chance of survival if the cancer is detected early.
      By: javiindy
      Women with cervical cancer have a much better chance of survival if the cancer is detected early.
    • Women who have had an abnormal test should get regular pap smears to check for cancerous cells.
      By: tomschoumakers
      Women who have had an abnormal test should get regular pap smears to check for cancerous cells.