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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of cells. The cervix is the portion of the uterus. It forms a cap at the end of the uterus. The cervix connects the uterus to the vagina or birth canal. Cervical cancer is caused when the cells in the cervix begin growing uncontrollably.
Cervical cancer may not cause symptoms, especially in the early stages. | | | | | | | |  | | | | | Cervical Cancer is diagnosed using the Pap smear test. To perform the Pap smear, the doctor takes a sample from the cervix and puts it on a slide. The slide is then sent to a lab where a pathologist will then look at the slide to see if the cells are normal or abnormal. | | | | | | | | | Catching abnormal cells early can prevent cervical cancer or catch it at an early stage. When cervical cancer is found early and treated, it is very curable. | | | | The abnormal cells are divided into pre-cancerous changes and true cervical cancer. Pre cancerous changes can progress to cancer if they are not treated. Pre-cancerous changes are treated by removing the portion of the cervix that contains the abnormal cells. This type of procedure is performed by a gynecologist. | | | | Patients, who are diagnosed with cervical cancer, will be referred to a specialist who is an expert in this type of cancer. | | | | Finding these types of changes earlier makes the disease easier to treat and improves outcomes. | | | | | | | | | Women who are sexually active should be tested for cervical cancer. Patients should be tested within three years of becoming sexually active but no later than by age 21. Women who have had three normal tests in a row may be tested every two to three years. Ask your doctor how often you should be screened.
| | | | Women who have had an abnormal Pap smear should be tested yearly.
Women who have had more than one sexual partner are at a higher risk of developing cervical cancer. In some cases, cervical cancer is caused by a virus. The virus is sexually transmitted. The virus causes the cervical cells to change into cancerous cells. Women with more than one sexual partner should also be tested on a yearly basis unless told otherwise by their doctor. | | | | Women who have HIV should have a Pap smear every six months because cervical cancer grows more quickly in these women. | | | | | | | | | In the two days before your test, you should not:
| | | | Have sexual intercourse
Use tampons, birth control foams, jellies, or vaginal creams, or any other vaginal medications
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| | | | You should try to schedule your Pap smear at a time when you are not on your period. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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Asthma
Cervical Cancer Screening