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Home , Cervical cancer, Cervix

CERVICAL About Gynecologic Cancer

There are five main types of cancer that affect a ’s reproductive organs: cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, and vulvar. As a group, they are referred to as gynecologic (GY-neh-kuh-LAH-jik) cancer. (A sixth type of gynecologic cancer is the very rare cancer.)

This fact sheet about is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Inside Knowledge: About Gynecologic Cancer campaign. The campaign helps women get the facts about gynecologic cancer, providing important “inside knowledge” about their bodies and health.

What is cervical cancer? Cancer is a disease in which cells Are there tests that can prevent cervical cancer or find it early? in the body grow out of control. There are two tests that can either help prevent cervical cancer or find it early: Cancer is always named for the part of the body where it starts, even if it • Depending on your age, your doctor may recommend you have a Pap spreads to other body parts later. test, or an HPV test, or both tests together. When cancer starts in the • The (or Pap smear) looks for precancers, changes, on the , it is called cervical cancer. cervix that can be treated, so that cervical cancer is prevented. The Pap The cervix is the lower, narrow test also can find cervical cancer early, when treatment is most effective. end of the . The cervix The Pap test only screens for cervical cancer. It does not screen for any connects the (the canal) other gynecologic cancer. to the upper part of the uterus. The • The HPV test looks for HPV—the that can cause precancerous uterus (or womb) is where a baby cell changes and cervical cancer. grows when a woman is pregnant. Cervical cancer is the easiest gynecologic cancer to prevent with regular tests and Who gets cervical cancer? cancer. HPV is a common virus that is passed from one person to follow-up. It also is highly curable All women are at risk for cervical another during sex. Most sexually when found and treated early. cancer. It occurs most often in active people will have HPV at women over age 30. Each year, some point in their lives, but few approximately 12,000 women in the women will get cervical cancer. get cervical cancer. The human papillomavirus (HPV) What are the symptoms? is the main cause of cervical Early on, cervical cancer may not cause . Advanced cervical cancer may Fallopian Tube cause bleeding or discharge from the vagina that is not normal for you, Uterus such as bleeding after sex. If you have Cervix any of these signs, see your doctor. Vagina They may be caused by something other than cancer, but the only way to know is to see your doctor. cdc.gov/cancer/knowledge 800-CDC-INFO What raises a woman’s chance women who are vaccinated of getting cervical cancer? against HPV need to have When should I get tested regular Pap tests to screen for Almost all cervical are for cervical cancer? cervical cancer. To learn more caused by HPV. You are more about the HPV visit likely to get HPV if you started The Pap test is one of the most www.cdc.gov/hpv. reliable and effective cancer having sex at an early age, or if • Don’t smoke. screening tests available. The you or your partner have had sex Pap test is recommended for all with several others. However, any • Use during sex.* woman who has ever had sex is at women between the ages of 21 • Limit your number of sexual risk for HPV. and 29 years old. If your Pap test partners. results are normal, your doctor There are many types of HPV. * HPV infection can occur in both male and may say that you will not need Usually HPV will go away on its female genital areas that are covered or another Pap test for three years. own, but if it does not, it may protected by a latex , as well as in cause cervical cancer over time. areas that are not covered. While the effect If you are 30 years old or older, of condoms in preventing HPV infection is In addition to having HPV, these unknown, condom use has been associated you may choose to have a Pap with a lower rate of cervical cancer. test, or an HPV test, or both tests things also can increase your risk together. If the results are normal, of cervical cancer: your chance of getting cervical • . What should I do if my doctor says I have cervical cancer? cancer in the next few years is • H aving HIV (the virus that very low. Your doctor may then causes AIDS) or another If your doctor says that you have say that you can wait up to five condition that makes it hard for cervical cancer, ask to be referred years for your next screening. your body to fight off health to a gynecologic oncologist—a The HPV test is also used to problems. doctor who has been trained to treat cancers like this. This doctor provide more information when • U sing pills for a will work with you to create a women aged 21 years or older long time (five or more years). treatment plan. have unclear Pap test results. • H aving given birth to three or For women aged 21-65, it is more children. Where can I find free or important to continue getting a low-cost cervical cancer Pap and/or HPV test as directed How can I prevent tests? by your doctor—even if you think cancer? you are too old to have a child If you have a low income or do not • S ee your doctor regularly for or are not having sex anymore. have insurance, you may be able a Pap and/or HPV test. However, your doctor may tell you to get a free or low-cost cervical that you do not need to have a • F ollow up with your doctor if test through the Pap or HPV test if either of these your cervical cancer screening National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. To learn is true for you: test results are not normal. more, call 800-CDC-INFO or visit • G et the HPV vaccine. It protects • Y ou are older than 65 and have www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp. against the types of HPV that had a normal Pap or HPV test most often cause cervical, for several years. vaginal, and vulvar cancers. It Where can I find more • Y ou have had your cervix is recommended for preteens removed as part of a (both boys and girls) aged 11 information about cervical and total for to 12 years, but can be given other gynecologic cancers? non-cancerous conditions, as early as age 9 and until age Centers for Disease Control and like fibroids. 26. The vaccine is given in a Prevention: 800-CDC-INFO or series of either two or three www.cdc.gov/cancer/gynecologic shots, depending on age. It is National Cancer Institute: important to note that even 800-4-CANCER or www.cancer.gov

cdc.gov/cancer/knowledge 800-CDC-INFO About Gynecologic Cancer CDC Publication #99-9123, Revised January 2019