Thanks to pap tests, over the last 40 years the death rate from cervical cancer has decreased significantly. However, every year, more than 10,000 women are diagnosed with this disease and 4,000 die of it. Therefore, cervical cancer remains one of the most common cancers that affect a woman’s reproductive organs and routine pap tests are very important in detecting the earliest strains of this cancer.

Causes of Cervical Cancer:

Strains of human papillomavirus, or (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection, are accountable for most cases of cervical cancer. A woman’s immune system usually works to prevent the virus from doing harm; however, in some women, the virus strains can survive for years before it changes cells in the cervix into cancer cells.

Symptoms of Cervical Cancer: 

The problem with cervical cancer is that it generally doesn’t produce any symptoms. However, as the cancer progresses, these signs and symptoms may appear:

• Vaginal bleeding after intercourse and in between menstrual periods;
• Watery, bloody vaginal discharge that can be heavy and have a foul odor; and
• Pelvic area pain or pain during intercourse.

Risk Factors for HPV:  

• Many sexual partners. The more sexual partners you’ve had in your lifetime and the greater your significant other’s number of sexual partners, the increased the chance is of obtaining HPV.
• Early sexual activity. Having sex before the age of 18 will increase your risk of HPV because immature cells are more inclined to precancerous activity.
• Other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). If you have other STDs, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis or HIV/AIDS, you have a greater chance of also having HPV.
• A weak immune system. Most women who are infected with HPV fail to develop cervical cancer because of a strong immune system that fights off the infection. However, when an immune system is weakened from another medical condition, there is more of a chance of developing cervical cancer.
• Cigarette smoking. This significantly increases the risk of precancerous changes as well as cancer of the cervix.

Pap Test Guidelines:

Pap screenings are very important in determining if the cells in the cervix are cancerous. Routine pap tests are the most effective ways to detect cervical cancer in its earliest stages. Work with your doctor to determine the best schedule for Pap screenings. Current guidelines suggest the following: 

• An initial pap test within three years of when you begin having sex or at age 21, whichever comes first;
• From ages 21 to 29, a regular pap test every year or a liquid-based test every two years;
• From ages 30 to 69, a regular pap test every two years or a liquid-based test every three years if you’ve had three normal pap tests in a row; and
• From 70 on, you may stop having pap tests if you’ve had three or more normal tests in a row and no abnormal results in the last 10 years.

More frequent tests are needed if you are at a high risk of cervical cancer. During a pap smear, cells are taken from one’s cervix and are sent to the lab to be checked for abnormalities. If left untreated, abnormal cells may convert to cancer cells, which may spread in various stages into the cervix, upper vagina, pelvic areas and to other parts of the body.

Treating Cervical Cancer:

Treatment may involve minor surgical removal of pre-cancerous cells in the pre-invasive stage (when the cancer has affected only the outer layer of the lining) or even major surgery such as a hysterectomy (complete removal of the uterus). In the invasive stage, cervical cancer has spread beyond the outer lining; treatment could involve a hysterectomy, radical trachelectomy (partial removal of the uterus), radiation, and in extreme cases, chemotherapy.

Source:  Mayo Clinic.com