Return Home
HealthSearch
Health Guide
Images

Cervical cancer - screening and prevention

Description

Cervical cancer is a cancer that starts in the cervix. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus (womb) that opens at the top of the vagina.

There is a lot you can do to decrease your chance of having cervical cancer. Also, your health care provider can do tests to find early changes that may lead to cancer, or to find cervical cancer in the early stages.

Alternative Names

Cancer cervix - screening; HPV - cervical cancer screening; Dysplasia - cervical cancer screening; Cervical cancer - HPV vaccine

Lifestyle and Safer Sex Habits

Almost all cervical cancers are caused by the HPV (human papilloma virus).

HPV can be passed from person to person even when there are no visible warts or other symptoms.

Vaccines to Prevent Cervical Cancer

A vaccine is available to protect against the HPV types that cause most cervical cancer in women. The vaccine is:

These safer sex practices can also help reduce your risk of getting HPV and cervical cancer:

Pap Smears

Cervical cancer often develops slowly. It starts as precancerous changes called dysplasia. Dysplasia can be detected by a medical test called a Pap smear or Pap test.

Dysplasia is fully treatable. That is why it is important for women to get regular screening tests, so that precancerous cells can be removed before they can become cancer.

At times, the HPV test may be used along with a Pap test. The HPV test can identify the high-risk types of HPV that are known to cause cervical cancer.

Pap test screening should start at age 21. After the first test:

Talk with your provider about how often you should have a Pap test or HPV test.

References

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Committee on Adolescent Health Care, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Immunization, Infectious Disease, and Public Health Preparedness Expert Work Group. Human Papillomavirus Vaccination: ACOG Committee Opinion, Number 809. Obstet Gynecol. 2020;136(2):e15-e21. PMID: 32732766 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32732766/.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Clinical overview of HPV. www.cdc.gov/hpv/hcp/clinical-overview/. Updated July 9, 2024. Accessed August 7, 2024.

Clinicalinfo.hiv.gov website. Guidelines for the prevention and treatment of opportunistic infections in adults and adolescents with HIV. clinicalinfo.hiv.gov/en/guidelines/hiv-clinical-guidelines-adult-and-adolescent-opportunistic-infections/human?view=full. Updated July 9, 2024. Accessed August 2, 2024.

Salcedo MP, Phoolcharoen N, Schmeler KM. Intraepithelial neoplasia of the lower genital tract (cervix, vagina, vulva): etiology, screening, diagnosis, management. In: Lobo RA, Gershenson DM, Lentz GM, Valea FA, eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 29.

US Preventive Services Task Force; Curry SJ, Krist AH, Owens DK, et al. Screening for cervical cancer: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. JAMA. 2018;320(7):674-686. PMID: 30140884 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30140884/.


Review Date: 8/23/2023
Reviewed By: LaQuita Martinez, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Emory Johns Creek Hospital, Alpharetta, GA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. Editorial update 08/15/2024.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.