Every year, over 12,000 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed. Around 4,000 women die every year from cervical cancer. The United States Congress designated January as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month in hopes of bringing more attention to prevention, early detection and finding a cure.
According to the American Cancer Society, cervical cancer death rates have gone down in the last 30 years by more than 50 percent. Cervical cancer occurs most often in women around the age of 50, and it is extremely rare to develop in girls younger than 20.
Some of you might be wondering what causes cervical cancer. What are the symptoms? Risks? How can you prevent it? What should you talk to your doctor about? Here is what you should know.
1. Cervical cancer starts in the cervix.
More than 70 percent of cases are caused by either HPV-16 or HPV-18. Human papillomavirus is found in almost all cases of cervical cancer. HPV is a common sexually transmitted disease and according to NCCC Online, by the age of 50 around 80 percent of women have been infected with some type of HPV.
2. It is the second most common cancer for women across the world, but it is also one of the most preventable.
There are three HPV vaccines available, and some are linked to preventing cervical cancer.
3. There are risks to every type of cancer.
Cancer Treatment Centers of America says that if a woman has had three or more full-term pregnancies, her chance of being diagnosed with cervical cancer doubles. Other common risk factors include smoking, HIV, STDs, obesity and heredity.
4. Early cancer cells do not show symptoms as much, but more advanced cases do.
Symptoms include abnormal bleeding, pelvic pain, unusual discharge and pain during urination.
5. Pap tests are the most common way to detect cervical cancer.
It is also very reliable. Pap smears test for precancerous cells that could become cancer cells if not treated properly. CDC recommends getting tested annually after the age of 21.
6. For all stages of cervical cancer, the five-year survival rate is 68 percent.
Be proactive and see your doctor annually! For more information, you can visit the Center of Disease Control and Prevention website.
