1.
Fitango Education
Health Topics
Cervical Cancer
http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=15

2.
Overview
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.
http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=15 1

3.
Overview
When cancer starts in the cervix, it is called
cervical cancer. The cervix is the lower, narrow end
of the uterus. The cervix connects the vagina (birth
canal) to the upper part of the uterus. The uterus
(or womb) is where a baby grows when a woman
is pregnant.
http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=15 2

4.
Overview
Cervical cancer is highly preventable in most
Western countries because screening tests and
a vaccine to prevent HPV infections are available.
When cervical cancer is found early, it is highly
treatable and associated with long survival and
good quality of life.
CDC
http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=15 3

5.
Symptoms
Early on, cervical cancer may not cause signs and
symptoms. Advanced cervical cancer may cause
bleeding or discharge from the vagina that is not
normal for you, such as bleeding after sex. If you
have any of these signs, see your doctor. They may
be caused by something other than cancer, but the
only way to know is to see your doctor.
http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=15 4

6.
Diagnosis / Treatment
If your doctor says that you have cervical cancer,
ask to be referred to a gynecologic oncologist—a
doctor who has been trained to treat cancers of a
woman's reproductive system. This doctor will
work with you to create a treatment plan.
http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=15 5

7.
Diagnosis / Treatment
The extent of disease is referred to as the stage.
Information about the size of the cancer or how far
it has spread is often used to determine the stage.
Doctors use this information to plan treatment and
to monitor progress.
http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=15 6

8.
Diagnosis / Treatment
Types of TreatmentThere are several ways to treat
cervical cancer. The treatment depends on the
type of cervical cancer and how far it has spread.
Treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and/or
radiation.
Surgery: Doctors remove cancer tissue in an
operation.
http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=15 7

9.
Diagnosis / Treatment
Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy involves the use of
drugs to stop or slow the growth of cancer cells.
Chemotherapy may cause side effects, but these
often get better or go away when chemotherapy is
over. Chemotherapy drugs may be given in several
forms, including pills or through an IV
(intravenous) injection.
http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=15 8

10.
Diagnosis / Treatment
Radiation: Radiation uses high-energy rays (similar
to X-rays) to try to kill the cancer cells and stop
them from spreading. The rays are aimed at the
part of the body where the cancer is.
Different treatments may be provided by different
doctors on your medical team.
http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=15 9

11.
Diagnosis / Treatment
Gynecologic oncologists are doctors who have
been trained to treat cancers of a woman's
reproductive system.
Surgeons are doctors who perform operations.
Medical oncologists are doctors who are experts in
cancer and treat cancers with medicines.
http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=15 10

12.
Diagnosis / Treatment
Radiation oncologists are doctors who treat
cancers with radiation.
CDC
http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=15 11

13.
Risks
Almost all cervical cancers are caused by human
papillomavirus (HPV), a common virus that can be
passed from one person to another during sex.
There are many types of HPV. Some HPV types can
cause changes on a woman’s cervix that can lead
to cervical cancer over time, while other types can
cause genital warts.
http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=15 12

14.
Risks
HPV is so common that most people get it at some
time in their lives. HPV usually causes no
symptoms so you can't tell that you have it. For
most women, HPV will go away on its own;
however, if it does not, there is a chance that over
time it may cause cervical cancer.
In addition to HPV, other things can increase your
risk of cervical cancer. They include—
http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=15 13

15.
Risks
Smoking.
Having HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) or another
condition that makes it hard for your body to fight
off health problems.
Using birth control pills for a long time (five or
more years).
Having given birth to three or more children.
http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=15 14

16.
Risks
CDC
http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=15 15

17.
Prevention
Two tests can help prevent cervical cancer—
-- The Pap test (or Pap smear) looks for precancers,
cell changes on the cervix that may become
cervical cancer if they are not
http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=15 16

18.
Prevention
treated appropriately. You should start getting Pap
tests at age 21.
2. The human papillomavirus (HPV) test looks
for the virus that
can cause these cell changes.
The most important thing you can do to help
prevent cervical cancer is to have regular screening
tests.
http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=15 17

19.
Prevention
If your Pap test results are normal, your chance of
getting cervical cancer in the next few years is very
low. For that reason, your doctor may tell you that
you will not need another Pap test for as long as
three years. If you are 30 years old or older, you
may choose to have an HPV test along with the Pap
test. If both test results are normal, your doctor
may tell you that you can wait five years to have
your next Pap test. But you should still go to the
doctor regularly for a checkup.
http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=15 18

20.
Prevention
For women aged 21–65, it is important to continue
getting a Pap test as directed by your doctor—even
if you think you are too old to have a child or are
not having sex anymore. However, if you are older
than 65 and have had normal Pap test results for
several years, or if you have had your cervix
removed as part of a total hysterectomy for non-
cancerous conditions, like fibroids, your doctor
may tell you that you do not need to have a Pap
test anymore.
http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=15 19

21.
Prevention
Getting an HPV VaccineTwo HPV vaccines are
available to protect females against the types of
HPV that cause most cervical, vaginal, and vulvar
cancers. Both vaccines are recommended for 11-
and 12-year-old girls, and for females 13 through
26 years of age who did not get any or all of the
shots when they were younger. These vaccines also
can be given to girls as young as 9 years of age. It is
recommended that females get the same vaccine
brand for all three doses, whenever possible. It is
impo
http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=15 20

22.
Prevention
More Steps to Help Prevent Cervical CancerThese
things may also help lower your risk for cervical
cancer—
Don't smoke.
Use condoms during sex.
Limit your number of sexual partners.
http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=15 21

23.
Additional Resources
Pubmed Health
http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=15 22