Healthy Living

The uterine cervix is the lower, narrow part of the uterus (womb) that connects the uterus with the vagina. It is part of the female reproductive system.

Cervical cancer usually develops slowly over time. Before cancer appears in the cervix, the cells of the cervix go through changes known as dysplasia, in which abnormal cells begin to appear in the cervical tissue. Later, cancer cells start to grow and spread more deeply into the cervix and to surrounding areas.

Significance of cervical cancer

Thanks to widespread screening with the Pap test (Pap smear), the number of deaths due to cervical cancer has been decreasing. Screening tests have risks, however (refer to the PDQ summary on Screening for Cervical Cancer); prevention of cervical cancer may offer fewer risks and more benefits.

Cervical cancer prevention

Many cases of cervical cancer are associated with known risk factors for the disease. Some of the risk factors cannot be avoided, but many can.

HPV Infection: Cervical infection with HPV is the primary risk factor for cervical cancer. There are over 80 types of human papillomavirus (HPV). Approximately 30 types are transmitted sexually (passed from one person to another by sexual contact) and can infect the cervix. About half of these have been linked to cervical cancer. However, HPV infection is very common and only a very small number of women infected with untreated HPV will develop cervical cancer. A vaccine to prevent infection with the two types of HPV that cause approximately 70 percent of cervical cancers, and the two types of HPV that cause 90 percent of genital warts, has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and other vaccines are under study. The approved vaccine provides protection against infection with these HPV types for at least five years. How much longer the protection lasts is under study.

Sexual History: HPV infections that cause cervical cancer are spread mainly through sexual contact. Women who begin having sexual intercourse at an early age and women who have had many sexual partners are at a greater risk of HPV infection and developing cervical cancer. Some methods used to prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) reduce the risk of cervical cancer. The use of barrier methods of birth control and/or gels that kill sperm offer some protection but do not completely protect against STDs.

Reproductive History: Having a high number of full-term pregnancies (7 or more) increases the risk of cervical cancer.

Use of Oral Contraceptives: Long-term use of oral contraceptives (5 years or more) increases the risk of cervical cancer.

Screening History: Receiving regular gynecological exams and Pap tests helps to prevent cervical cancer. Abnormal changes in the cervix can be detected (found) by the Pap test and treated before cancer develops. Women who do not regularly have Pap tests have an increased risk of cervical cancer.

Smoking: Cigarette smoking is associated with an increased risk of cervical cancer.

Diet: Several studies have suggested that certain micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) may reduce the risk of cervical cancer, but this has not been proven.

Knowing the risk factors for cervical cancer can help you avoid them.