Cervical Cancer

“Cervical cancer is most frequently diagnosed
in women between the ages of 35 and 44
with the average age at diagnosis being 50”.1

Umbrella
What may the Cervical Cancer Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Cancer of the Cervix
  • Cervical Cancer
  • Cervix Cancer

Cancer

What is the cancer?

DotS the definition of cancer may vary. The (United States) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) definition is:

“Cancer Cancer is a disease in which cells in the body grow out of control. Cancer is always named for the part of the body where it starts, even if it spreads to other body parts later. When cancer starts in the cervix, it is called cervical cancer”.2

Cervix

What is the cervix?

DotS the definition of the cervix may vary. The CDC’s definition:

“The cervix connects the vagina (birth canal) to the upper part of the uterus. The uterus (or womb) is where a baby grows when during pregnancy”.3

Definition

What is cervical cancer?

DotS the definition of cervical cancer may vary. The (United States) National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) definition is:

“Cervical cancer
Cancer that forms in tissues of the cervix (the organ connecting the uterus and vagina). It is usually a slow-growing cancer that may not have symptoms but can be found with regular Pap tests (a procedure in which cells are scraped from the cervix and looked at under a microscope)”.4

Signs and Symptoms

What are signs and symptoms of cervical cancer?

In Cervical Cancer: Early Detection, Diagnosis, and Staging: Signs and Symptoms of Cervical Cancer the American Cancer Society (ACS) explain:

“Women with early cervical cancers and pre-cancers usually have no symptoms. Symptoms often do not begin until the cancer becomes larger and grows into nearby tissue. When this happens, the most common symptoms are:

  • Abnormal vaginal bleeding, such as bleeding after vaginal sex, bleeding after menopause, bleeding and spotting between periods, or having (menstrual) periods that are longer or heavier than usual. Bleeding after douching may also occur
  • An unusual discharge from the vagina − the discharge may contain some blood and may occur between your periods or after menopause
  • Pain during sex
  • Pain in the pelvic region”.5

Cause

What is the main cause of cervical cancer?

In Gynecologic Cancers: Cervical Cancer — Basic Information About Cervical Cancer the CDC explain:

“Anyone with a cervix is at risk for cervical cancer. It occurs most often in people over age 30. Long-lasting infection with certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) is the main cause of cervical cancer. HPV is a common virus that is passed from one person to another during sex. At least half of sexually active people will have HPV at some point in their lives, but few will get cervical cancer”.6

In Cervical Cancer: What Causes Cervical Cancer? the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) also note:

“Cervical cancer is almost always caused by human papillomavirus (HPV).

HPV is a common sexually transmitted infection that affects the surface cells of the genital area, including the cervix, vagina and vulva. It can also cause visible warts.

HPV is very common. About 80% of women will have the virus at some point in their lives, but many don’t know they’ve been exposed to the infection.

Most women with the infection don’t develop cervical cancer. Only certain types of HPV cause cancer.

Cervical cancer usually develops many years after the HPV infection occurs”.7 

In Cervical Cancer: Risks and Causes the (United Kingdom) Cancer Research UK elaborate on risks and causes of cervical cancer.

Age

Is there an association between age and cervical cancer?

In Cervical Cancer: About Cervical Cancer – Key Statistics for Cervical Cancer the ACS note:


Cervical Cancer
“Cervical cancer is most frequently diagnosed in women between the ages of 35 and 44 with the average age at diagnosis being 50 . It rarely develops in women younger than 20. Many older women do not realize that the risk of developing cervical cancer is still present as they age. More than 20% of cases of cervical cancer are found in women over 65. However, these cancers rarely occur in women who have been getting regular tests to screen for cervical cancer before they were 65”.8

Common or Not

How common is cervical cancer?

In Cervical Cancer: Overview the World Health Organization note:

“Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women. In 2018, an estimated 570 000 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer worldwide and about 311 000 women died from the disease”.9

Pap Tests

Can when to start, when to stop and how often to have regular Pap tests, vary?

Depending on You, DotS and/or Depending on Your Country’s cervical cancer screening program, when to start, when to stop and how often to have regular Pap tests, can vary. It may therefore be in your best interest to choose to check what’s-what for you in your country.

Early Detection

Is there an association between regular Pap tests and the early detection of cervical cancer?

Yes. In Cervical Cancer the ACS explain:

“Cervical cancer can often be found early, and sometimes even prevented, by having regular screening tests. If detected early, cervical cancer is one of the most successfully treatable cancers”.10

Health Care Provider

What if I think I have cervical cancer?

If you think you have cervical cancer, or you are concerned about anything down there, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this.

In Cervical Cancer: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms: When To See A Doctor a (United States) Mayo Clinic expert explains:

“Make an appointment with your doctor if you have any signs or symptoms that concern you”.11

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Cervical Cancer?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Cervical Cancer?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

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  11. Cervical Cancer Awareness [+ Video]
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  13. Cervical Cancer Elimination Day of Action 2023 [17 November]
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  19. Cervical Cancer Screening (PDQ)–Patient Version [+ Images]
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  21. Cervical Cancer Screening – Multiply Languages
  22. Cervical Cancer Screening: Pap and HPV Tests
  23. Cervical Cancer Survivor: ‘Don’t Let Fear Keep You From Going To the Doctor’
  24. Cervical Cancer Symptoms [+ Video: Let’s Talk About Cervical Cancer)
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  26. Cervical Cancer and HPV — What’s the Connection?
  27. Cervical Cancer – Multiply Languages
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  29. Cervical Cancer: Causes, Risk Factors, and Prevention – Can Cervical Cancer Be Prevented?
  30. Cervical Cancer: Causes, Risk Factors, and Prevention – What Are the Risk Factors for Cervical Cancer? Smoking
  31. Cervical Cancer: Cervical Cancer Prevention and Early Detection
  32. Cervical Cancer: Cervical Cancer Prevention and Early Detection – Additional Resources
  33. Cervical Cancer: Early Detection, Diagnosis, and Staging – What Should You Ask Your Doctor About Cervical Cancer?
  34. Cervical Cancer: Getting Diagnosed
  35. Cervical Cancer: Prevention of Cervical Cancer: The Cervical Cancer Vaccine – Do You Still Need To Have Pap Smear Tests If You Have Had the Vaccine?
  36. Cervical Cancer: Risks and Causes
  37. Cervical Cancer: Screening
  38. Cervical Cancer: Treating Cervical Cancer
  39. Cervical Cancer: What Are the Risk Factors for Cervical Cancer? Lack of Regular Cervical Screening Tests
  40. Cervical Cancer–Patient Version
  41. Cervical Dysplasia: Is It Cancer?
  42. Cervical Health Awareness Month [January, United States]
  43. Cervical Screening
  44. Cervical Screening
  45. Cervical Screening Awareness Week [17 -23 June 2024, United Kingdom]
  46. Cervical Screening Test [Australia]
  47. Cervical Screening: Leaflet for Women Considering Screening [Multiply Languages] [United Kingdom]
  48. Cervical Screening: What Is Cervical Screening? How Cervical Screening Is Done [Video]
  49. Cervical Screening: Why It’s Important
  50. Cervivor.org [Cervivor, United States]
  51. Colposcopy
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  53. Consumer Health: Understanding Cervical Cancer Risk
  54. Consumer Health: Understanding Cervical Dysplasia
  55. Consumer Health: What Do You Know About Cervical Cancer?
  56. Eliminating Cervical Cancer
  57. FAQs: Cervical Cancer
  58. Gynecological Cancers
  59. Gynecologic Cancer Awareness
  60. Gynecologic Cancers
  61. Gynecologic Cancers: Cervical Cancer – Basic Information About Cervical Cancer
  62. Gynecologic Cancers: Cervical Cancer – How Is Cervical Cancer Diagnosed and Treated?
  63. Gynecologic Cancers: Cervical Cancer – What Are the Risk Factors for Cervical Cancer?
  64. Gynecologic Cancers: Cervical Cancer – What Are the Symptoms of Cervical Cancer?
  65. Gynecologic Cancers: Resources To Share – Videos: “Under the Paper Gown”: A Comedy Web Series
  66. HPV (Human Papillomavirus)
  67. HPV Vaccine: Who Needs It, How It Works
  68. HPV Vaccines
  69. HPV and Cancer
  70. HPV and Pap Testing
  71. HPV and Pap Testing: Do Women Who Have Been Vaccinated Against HPV Still Need To Be Screened for Cervical Cancer?
  72. HPV and Pap Testing: What Causes Cervical Cancer?
  73. Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
  74. Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
  75. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Cervical Cancer
  76. Human Papillomavirus (HPV): HPV Infection
  77. Human Papillomavirus Vaccine
  78. If You Have Cervical Cancer
  79. International HPV Awareness Day 04 Mar 2023 [+ One Less Worry Video]
  80. Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust [United Kingdom]
  81. Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust [United Kingdom]: Our Videos
  82. Mayo Clinic Minute: Why Black Women Need To Be Screened for Cervical Cancer [+ Video]
  83. Mayo Clinic Q&A Podcast: The Link Between Racial Disparities and Cervical Cancer [+ Video Courtesy Mayo Clinic News Network]
  84. National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP)
  85. National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP): Find A Screening Program Near You
  86. National Cervical Cancer Coalition
  87. Pap Smear
  88. Pap Smear: Do I Need One If I’m A Virgin?
  89. Pap and HPV Tests
  90. Prevent Cervical Cancer
  91. Reaching 2030 Cervical Cancer Elimination Targets – New WHO Recommendations for Screening and Treatment of Cervical Pre-Cancer
  92. The Cervix
  93. The Pap (Papanicolaou) Test
  94. Tips for Tracking Your Bleeding
    Tips for Tracking Your Bleeding
  95. Understanding Cervical Changes: A Health Guide for Women
  96. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: How Do I Deal With the Menopause After A Diagnosis of Gynaecological Cancer
  97. You Need To Know [+ Video: Bleeding After the Menopause – An Important Message You Need To Know]

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Cervical Cancer: About Cervical Cancer – Key Statistics for Cervical Cancer. Last Revised: 12 January 2023. American Cancer Society https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cervical-cancer/about/key-statistics.html Accessed: 11 December 2023
  2. Gynecologic Cancers: Basic Information About Cervical Cancer. Last Reviewed: 21 August 2023. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/basic_info/ Accessed: 11 December 2023
  3. Gynecologic Cancers: Basic Information About Cervical Cancer. Last Reviewed: 21 August 2023. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/basic_info/ Accessed: 11 December 2023
  4. NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms: C — Cervical Cancer. National Cancer Institute https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/expand/C Accessed: 11 December 2023
  5. Cervical Cancer: Early Detection, Diagnosis, and Staging: Signs and Symptoms of Cervical Cancer. Last Revised: 03 January 2020. American Cancer Society https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cervicalcancer/detailedguide/cervical-cancer-signs-symptoms Accessed: 11 December 2023
  6. Gynecologic Cancers: Basic Information About Cervical Cancer. Last Reviewed: 21 August 2023. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/basic_info/ Accessed: 11 December 2023
  7. Cervical Cancer: What Causes Cervical Cancer? Last Updated: 07 December 2023 | Last Reviewed: 14 April 2023. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/vulva-vagina-ovaries-uterus/cervical-cancer Accessed: 11 December 2023
  8. Cervical Cancer: About Cervical Cancer – Key Statistics for Cervical Cancer. Last Revised: 12 January 2023. American Cancer Society https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cervical-cancer/about/key-statistics.html Accessed: 11 December 2023
  9. Cervical Cancer: Overview. World Health Organization https://www.who.int/health-topics/cervical-cancer#tab=tab_1 Accessed: 11 December 2023
  10. Cervical Cancer. American Cancer Society https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cervicalcancer/index Accessed: 11 December 2023
  11. Butler, K. Cervical Cancer: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms: When To See A Doctor. 14 December 2022. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cervical-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20352501 Accessed: 11 December 2023

Topic Last Updated: 08 March 2024 – Topic Last Reviewed: 11 December 2023
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