Cervical Cancer FAQs
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Who gets cervical cancer?
How should I prepare for my cervical cancer screening tests?
How do you know if you have cervical cancer?
Who gets cervical cancer?
Can cervical cancer be treated?
When do I need to see a specialist?
Who gets cervical cancer?
Since almost all cervical cancers are caused by HPV, any woman who has sex can get cervical cancer. Most women who’ve had sex have been exposed to HPV at some time in their life. The women at highest risk for cervical cancer are women in whom infection with one of the high-risk types persists for years. Other risk factors for cervical cancer include smoking, multiple sexual partners and HIV infection.
Cervical cancer occurs most often in certain groups of women in the United States including African-American women, Hispanic women, white (non-Hispanic) women living in rural New York State and northern New England, American Indian women, and Vietnamese-American women. Hispanic women have twice the rate of cervical cancer compared to non-Hispanic white women. African-American women develop this cancer about 50% more than non-Hispanic white women. These disparities are due, in part, from poor access to health care. The women who are most at risk for the disease are women who do not have regular check-ups that include Pap tests.
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How do you know if you have cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer, or early cervical pre-cancers, often have no signs or symptoms. That’s why it’s important to get Pap tests regularly. If you have any of these symptoms, call your health care provider right away.
- Any unusual discharge from the vagina
- Blood spots or light bleeding when you’re not having your period
- Bleeding or pain during sex
Just because you have these symptoms, doesn’t mean you have cervical cancer. You can have these symptoms for other reasons. Check with your health care provider to find out what’s causing your symptoms. Finding cervical cancer early means you have a better chance of successful treatment.
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How should I prepare for my cervical cancer screening tests?
- Don’t take the tests if you’re having your menstrual period.
- Don’t douche for 2 days before the tests.
- Don’t have sexual intercourse for 2 days before the test.
- Don’t use tampons or birth control foams, jellies, or other vaginal creams or vaginal medicines for 2 days before the test.
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Can cervical cancer be treated?
Yes, cervical cancer can be treated with surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy. If you have cervical cancer, discuss treatment options with your doctor to decide the best way to treat the cancer.
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When do I need to see a specialist?
If you have cervical cancer, you’ll likely be treated by one or more of the following specialists: a gynecologic oncologist, a radiation oncologist and a medical oncologist. An oncologist is a doctor specially trained in diagnosing and treating cancer.
If you have been diagnosed with precancerous changes, it’s not essential that you see an oncologist. Depending on the degree of the change seen, your gynecologist or your primary care doctor may monitor your condition and provide treatment.
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