What Is Cervical Cancer? Cervical cancer happens when cells change in women's cervix, which connects thier uterus with vagina. This cancer can affect the deeper tissues of their cervix and may spread to other parts of their body (metastasize), often the lungs, liver, bladder, vagina, and rectum.
It happens less often than it used to, but yes, it's possible to die from cervical cancer. The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that about 4,250 people in the United States will die from cervical cancer in 2019.
Long-lasting infection with certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) is the main cause of cervical cancer. HPV is a common virus that is passed from one person to another during sex. At least half of sexually active people will have HPV at some point in their lives, but few women will get cervical cancer.
The 5-year survival rate for all people with cervical cancer is 66%. However, survival rates can vary by factors such as race, ethnicity, and age. For white women, the 5-year survival rate is 71%. For Black women, the 5-year survival rate is 58%.
Other symptoms of cervical cancer may include pain and discomfort during sex, unusual or unpleasant vaginal discharge, and pain in your lower back or pelvis.
Cervical cancer is not infectious. Your partner can't catch it from you. This can be confusing because cervical cancer is linked to the human papilloma virus (HPV). This virus increases the risk of some cancers and can be passed between sexual partners.
The overall 10-year survival was 72.5%. The applied PNN model was used to predict the 10-year overall survival in cervical cancer patients treated with radical hysterectomy.
Dysplasia and cancer of the cervixThe cervix is the opening of the uterus (womb) that leads into the vagina. The cervix can be felt with the tip of a finger inside the vagina.
Cervical cancer is often curable if it's diagnosed at an early stage. When cervical cancer is not curable, it's often possible to slow its progression, prolong lifespan and relieve any associated symptoms, such as pain and vaginal bleeding. This is known as palliative care.
If You Have Cervical Cancer
- The cervix. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus.
- Cryosurgery. This treatment kills the cancer cells by freezing them.
- Laser surgery. This treatment uses a laser to burn off cancer cells.
- Conization. Conization is also called a cone biopsy.
- Hysterectomy.
5-year relative survival rates for cervical cancer
| SEER Stage | 5-year Relative Survival Rate |
|---|
| Localized | 92% |
| Regional | 58% |
| Distant | 17% |
| All SEER stages combined | 66% |
Stage IVA cervical cancer is currently best managed by a combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Radiation therapy is treatment with high energy x-rays that have the ability to kill cancer cells.
Cervical Cancer Screening
- U.S. Value: 79.9%
- Healthiest State: Mississippi: 86.9%
- Least-healthy State: South Dakota: 72.1%
Infection by the human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most important risk factor for cervical cancer. HPV is a group of more than 150 related viruses.
The first identifiable symptoms of cervical cancer are likely to include: Abnormal vaginal bleeding, such as after intercourse, between menstrual periods, or after menopause; menstrual periods may be heavier and last longer than normal. Pain during intercourse. Vaginal discharge and odor.
Signs and symptoms of more-advanced cervical cancer include: Vaginal bleeding after intercourse, between periods or after menopause. Watery, bloody vaginal discharge that may be heavy and have a foul odor. Pelvic pain or pain during intercourse.
Number of HPV-Attributable Cancer Cases per Year
| Cancer site | Average number of cancers per year in sites where HPV is often found (HPV-associated cancers) | Percentage probably caused by any HPV typea |
|---|
| Male | 16,245 | 72% |
| TOTAL | 45,330 | 79% |
| Female | 25,405 | 83% |
| Male | 19,925 | 74% |
Cervical cancer is caused by the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV), which is the most common viral infection of the reproductive tract.
Each year, approximately 270,000 women die from cervical cancer, with 85% of deaths occurring in low-to-middle income countries [1]. The high mortality rate for cervical cancer in the developing world is driven by limited access to cervical cancer screening and treatment.
