Cervical cancer begins in the cells of the cervix. In 2023, nearly 14,000 women will be diagnosed with this cancer, and this condition will lead to more than 4,300 deaths.
Understanding the causes and risk factors of cervical cancer may help you take the right steps toward reducing your risk and promoting better health. If you think you may have cervical cancer based on your symptoms, see your doctor as soon as possible for a screening and evaluation.
What Causes Cervical Cancer?
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the leading cause of cervical cancer. This sexually transmitted infection — which affects more than 90% of sexually active men and 80% of sexually active women in their lifetimes — has two proteins called E6 and E7. These proteins can “turn off,” or disable certain genes that can stop tumor growth. When E6 and E7 are deactivated, the cells that line the cervix can grow and divide uncontrollably to increase the risk of cervical cancer.
However, HPV is not the only cause of cervical cancer. Other causes of and risk factors for cervical cancer include:
- Smoking
- Having a weakened immune system
- Having HIV or AIDS
- Having chlamydia
- Using birth control pills long term
- Having three or more full-term pregnancies
- Being 20 years of age or younger and having a full-term pregnancy
- Practicing poor nutrition
- Having a family history of cervical cancer
Symptoms of Cervical Cancer
Symptoms of cervical cancer can go undetected for years. They commonly show up when the cancer is advanced or when it has spread to other parts of your body. If you have early-stage cervical cancer, you may experience symptoms such as:
- Vaginal bleeding after sex
- Vaginal or pelvic pain during sex
- Vaginal bleeding between menstrual periods
- Vaginal bleeding that is heavier or that lasts longer than usual
- Vaginal bleeding after menopause
- Vaginal discharge that is watery and that has a strong odor
- Vaginal discharge that contains blood
If you have late-stage cervical cancer, you may also be more likely to experience symptoms such as:
- Extreme tiredness or fatigue
- Swelling in the legs
- Bowel movements that are painful or difficult
- Bleeding from the rectum during bowel movements
- Painful or difficult urination
- Blood in the urine
- Dull backache
- Abdominal pain
Many of the above symptoms of cervical cancer are the same as those of other health conditions, which is why cancer screenings from your healthcare provider are important. For instance, vaginal bleeding during or after sex is also a symptom of endometriosis, polyps, and sexually transmitted infections.
Screening for Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer screening is usually performed during a routine wellness exam with your gynecologist or OB-GYN. Your provider performs a Pap test to check for the presence of abnormal or precancerous cervical cells. During a Pap test, your provider takes a sample of cells from your cervix using a swab and sends it to the lab for evaluation.
HPV tests and HPV/Pap co-tests are other methods used to screen for cervical cancer. Like a Pap test, these screening methods also involve looking for changes in cervical cells.
Ask your provider when you should start being screened for cervical cancer based on your age, risk factors, and medical history. The American Cancer Society has the following recommendations in place for cervical cancer screenings:
- Ages 21 to 29. Get your first Pap test at the age of 21 and every three years thereafter.
- Ages 30 to 65. Get a Pap test every three years, an HPV test every five years, or an HPV/Pap co-test every five years.
- Age 65 and older. No screening is needed, unless your provider suggests otherwise based on previous screening results.
Treatments for Cervical Cancer
There are several treatments available for cervical cancer, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. If you’re diagnosed with cervical cancer, the type of treatment you receive will depend on the stage of your cancer, its location, and your personal preference.
Surgery
The goal of surgery for cervical cancer is to remove cancerous tissues from the cervix and from other parts of the body where the cancer has spread, if needed.
Cold knife conization involves the use of a scalpel to remove affected tissue from your cervix and cervical canal. Hysterectomy involves the surgical removal of your uterus, which may be necessary if the cancer has spread beyond your cervix to this organ. Your doctor will talk to you about other surgical treatments based on the stage and location of your cancer.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs that can destroy cancer cells or stop them from dividing. Cisplatin, gemcitabine, and ifosfamide are some of the many chemotherapy drugs approved for the treatment of cervical cancer.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy involves the use of high-energy X-ray beams that can kill cancer cells or stop them from dividing and spreading. This treatment may be performed as external radiation therapy — which uses a machine outside of your body — or internal radiation therapy, which is administered through needles or wires that are placed into or near the cancer.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy involves the use of medications that help your immune system destroy the cancer. You may be eligible to receive immunotherapy if your cervical cancer has a biomarker called PD-L1.
Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapy uses drugs that specifically target cells or components of cells that make up cervical cancer, or that are involved in their growth or spreading. Bevacizumab and tisotumab vedotin are the two targeted therapy drugs approved for the treatment of cervical cancer at this time.
A cervical cancer diagnosis can be concerning, but early detection and treatment are key to a positive outcome. The five-year relative survival rate for early-stage cervical cancer is 91%. Make an appointment with your doctor if you are experiencing symptoms of cervical cancer or want to learn more about screening options.
Resource Links
- “What Is Cervical Cancer?” via National Cancer Institute
- “Key Statistics for Cervical Cancer” via American Cancer Society
- “What Causes Cervical Cancer?” via American Cancer Society
- “Quick Facts: HPV-Associated Cancer” via Minnesota Department of Health
- “Cervical Cancer Screening” via National Cancer Institute
- “Cervical Cancer Treatment” via National Cancer Institute
- “Cervical Cancer Prognosis and Survival Rates” via National Cancer Institute