Cervical Cancer Prevention
Cervical cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in young women. Each year, about 15,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with cancer of the cervix.
Risk factors
According to the American Cancer Society, the following factors increase the risk of women developing cervical cancer:
- Smoking
- Human papilloma virus (HPV) – the virus that causes genital warts
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- Venereal disease
- Diets low in fruits and vegetables or undernourisment
- Being overweight
- Oral contraceptives
- Many full-term pregnancies or had a first pregnancy at an early age
- Female relative(s) with cervical cancer
- Mothers took the hormone diethylstilbestrol (DES) during pregnancy
Prevention
The best way to prevent cervical cancer is to have yearly pap smears and pelvic exams.
Signs and Symptoms
According to the National Cancer Institute, precancerous changes of the cervix usually do not cause pain. In fact, they generally do not cause any symptoms and are not detected unless a woman has a pelvic exam and Pap test.
Symptoms usually do not appear until abnormal cervical cells become cancerous and invade nearby tissue. When this occurs, the most common symptom is abnormal bleeding.
- Bleeding may start and stop between regular menstrual periods, or it may occur after sexual intercourse, douching or a pelvic exam
- Menstrual bleeding may last longer and be heavier than usual
- Bleeding after menopause may be a symptom of cervical cancer
- Increased vaginal discharge, sometimes foul smelling and unexplained weight loss may also be symptoms
For more information on cervical cancer prevention, contact the Norton Cancer Institute Prevention & Early Detection Program at 1-800-555-6772 or (502) 629-5500 or email cancer@nortonhealthcare.org. A health care professional will research and respond to your question within 48-hours. Exceptions may include weekends and holidays.
