Cervical Cancer Summary The cervix is the lower part of the uterus, the place where a baby grows during pregnancy. Cervical cancer is caused by a virus called HPV. The virus spreads through sexual contact. Most women’s bodies are able to fight HPV infection. But sometimes the virus leads to cancer. You’re at higher risk if you smoke, have had many children, use birth control pills for a long time, or have HIV infection. Cervical cancer may not cause any symptoms at first. Later, you may have pelvic pain or bleeding from the vagina. It usually takes several years for normal cells in the cervix to turn into cancer cells. Your health care provider can find abnormal cells by doing a Pap test to examine cells from the cervix. You may also have an HPV test. If your results are abnormal, you may need a biopsy or other tests. By getting regular screenings, you can find and treat any problems before they turn into cancer. Treatment may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination. The choice of treatment depends on the size of the tumor, whether the cancer has spread and whether you would like to become pregnant someday. Vaccines can protect against several types of HPV, including some that can cause cancer. NIH: National Cancer Institute National Cancer Institute NIH MedlinePlus Magazine 6 Common Cancers- Gynecologic Cancers – Cervical, Endometrial, and Ovarian Encyclopedia After chemotherapy – discharge Cervical dysplasia – slideshow Cervix treatment – cryosurgery Cold knife cone biopsy Colposcopy – directed biopsy Pelvic (between the hips) radiation – discharge Pelvic CT scan Pelvis MRI scan Find an Expert American Cancer Society American Cancer Society Find a Cancer Doctor American Society of Clinical Oncology National Cancer Institute National Cancer Institute NCI Designated Cancer Centers National Cancer Institute Organizations That Offer Support Services National Cancer Institute Statistics and Research Bevacizumab Significantly Improves Survival for Patients with Recurrent and Metastatic Cervical Cancer National Cancer Institute CDC’s Cervical Cancer Study Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Cervical Cancer Rates by Race and Ethnicity Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Increased Risk of Rare Cancer as DES Daughters Age Centers for Disease Control and Prevention What Are the Key Statistics about Cervical Cancer? 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