CINXE.COM

Cervical Cancer: Introduction

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(hraWindow.closed) alert("It appears the page you requested is being blocked by pop-up blocking software.\nPlease disable any pop-up blockers to view the page."); hraWindow.focus(); return false; } </script> <script type="text/javascript"> <!-- function addLoadEvent(func) { var oldonload = window.onload; if (typeof window.onload != 'function') { window.onload = func; } else { window.onload = function() { oldonload(); func(); } } } function disableLinks() { for (var i = 0; i < document.links.length; i++) { var elm = document.links[i]; elm.href = "javascript:void(0);"; elm.target = ""; } } //--> </script> <div class="DisplayContent"> <a id="top"></a> <div> <div class="buct85" data-kswid="articleContent" dir=""> <h1>Cervical Cancer: Introduction</h1> <div class="SectionIndentOne"> <h2>What is cancer?</h2> <p>We鈥檝e all heard of cancer at some point in our lives鈥攃ancer screenings, cancer care, and maybe even cancer treatment. But what is cancer? And what steps can you take to prevent it? </p> <p>Cancer is a disease that begins when some cells in your body grow out of control. All cells grow and divide. But cancer cells grown even though your body doesn't need them. And sometimes, cancer cells spread throughout the body in a process known as metastasis. </p> <p>There is no one symptom of cancer. In fact, it can have many different symptoms depending on the type of cancer it is and where it is in your body. But luckily, there are many ways to find cancer early and treat it. </p> </div> <div class="SectionIndentOne"> <h2>What is cervical cancer?</h2> <p>Cancer that starts in cells of the cervix聽is called聽cervical cancer. </p> </div> <div class="SectionIndentOne"> <h2>Understanding the cervix</h2> <p>The cervix is the lower, narrow part of the uterus. It connects the uterus to the vagina, which leads to the outside of the body. It's聽between the bladder and the rectum. The cervix tightens and loosens to let fluids pass between the uterus and vagina. It鈥檚 also important to menstruation, pregnancy, and childbirth. </p> <p><img src="525700.img" alt="Front view of woman's pelvis showing cross section of uterus, cervix, and vagina. Inset shows closeup of cervix." class="" border="0" width="300" height="185"></p> </div> <div class="SectionIndentOne"> <h2>Looking for precancer</h2> <p></p> <p>When cancer starts in cervical cells, it is called cervical cancer. If you are younger than age 50, you may be at a higher risk. However, there are tests that can screen for signs of cervical cancer before it develops. For example, the Pap test makes sure the cells in your cervix are growing normally. </p> <p>When you get a Pap test, a small brush is used to gently remove some cells from your cervix. Medical professionals use a microscope to look at these cells to see if they are normal. If they find cells that look different from other cells, your healthcare provider will let you know. They may call these cells precancer, which means they are cells that could become cancer. Your provider can also recommend ways to make sure these cells do not turn into cancer. </p> </div> <div class="SectionIndentOne"> <h2>Types of precancer</h2> <p>A Pap test can help find precancer cells. There are several types of precancer, including: </p> <ul class=""> <li> <p>Squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL)</p> </li> <li> <p>Dysplasia</p> </li> <li> <p>Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) </p> </li> </ul> <p>SIL is divided into聽2 types:</p> <ul class=""> <li> <p><strong>Low-grade SIL. </strong>This refers to early changes in the size, shape, and number of cells on the surface of the cervix. The changes may go away on their own. Or they may grow larger or become more abnormal over time. Your provider may call these changes mild dysplasia or CIN 1. </p> </li> <li> <p><strong>High-grade SIL.</strong> This means there are many changed cells that are precancer cells. These changes only happen in cells on the surface of the cervix. It can take a long time for these cells to become cancer. But without treatment, they will become cancer. High-grade SIL may also be called moderate or severe dysplasia, CIN 2 or 3, or carcinoma in situ. </p> </li> </ul> <p>It鈥檚 important to find and treat abnormal cells on the surface of the cervix as soon as possible. Otherwise, they can spread deeper into the cervix or to other areas of the body. When this happens, it's called cervical cancer, or invasive cervical cancer. </p> </div> <div class="SectionIndentOne"> <h2>Preventing cervical cancer</h2> <p>There are 2 ways to prevent cervical cancer: </p> <ul class=""> <li> <p><strong>Get regular Pap tests.</strong> These tests find precancer cells as soon as possible, before they can change into cancer. </p> </li> <li> <p><strong>Put a stop to precancer cells.</strong> You can do this by preventing infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), getting an HPV vaccine, and not smoking. </p> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="SectionIndentOne"> <h2>Talk with your healthcare provider</h2> <p>If you have questions about cervical cancer, cervical cancer screening, or ways to prevent cervical cancer, talk with your provider. They can help you understand more about this cancer. </p> </div> </div> <div style="clear: both;"></div> </div> <div class="source"> <b>Online Medical Reviewer:</b> Donna Freeborn PhD CNM FNP <br> <b>Online Medical Reviewer:</b> Howard Goodman MD <br> <b>Online Medical Reviewer:</b> Jessica Gotwals RN BSN MPH <br> <div id="Global_MainContent_LeftColumn_ctl02_pnlReviewDate"> <b>Date Last Reviewed:</b> 3/1/2023 <br /> </div> <div id="Global_MainContent_LeftColumn_ctl02_pnlCopyrightStatement"> 漏 2000-2024 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. 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