Cervical Cancer

The cervix connects the uterus (or womb) to the vagina. In women, abnormal cells in the cervix can become cancer if they aren’t found early and treated.

The best way to prevent cervical cancer is to get regular Pap tests. A Pap test (sometimes called a Pap smear) is a screening test for cervical cancer. It’s done in a doctor's office or clinic.

You need a pap test if you are:

• Age 21 or older
• Under age 21 and have been sexually active for 3 years or more

Cervical cancer was once the leading cause of death for U.S. women, but the number of women with the disease has reduced dramatically due to women getting Pap tests. Cervical cancer is most common in women over age 30.

Most cervical cancer deaths could have been prevented by regular Pap tests. A Pap test can find abnormal cells before they turn into cancer. The test can also find cervical cancer early enough, when it can be treated and cured.

Doctors recommend that women who are sexually active or ages 21 to 64 have a Pap test once every 1 to 3 years. These guidelines are regularly updated as more medical data is collected and new tests are developed to determine how early or for how long the Pap test is necessary.

Doctors now know that over 99% of cervical cancer cases are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). This virus is generally spread by sexual activity. There are many subtypes of HPV, and certain ones are most often associated with invasive cervical cancer.

Over the past 5 years, two vaccines have been developed to prevent HPV infection, and have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for this purpose. Both of these immunizations are approved for routine administration to girls and women ages 9 to 26. They consist of a series of 3 shots given over a 6 month period of time. They are covered by HPSM, also.

These shots are some of the first immunizations available that help prevent cancer. Since they work best to help prevent HPV before a young woman is exposed to the disease, they have become a recommended part of immunizations given to teens at the 11—12 year old well child visit.

Exposure to HPV via sexual contact is an important aspect of the disease, and discussion of this component with attendant options is another key way of leading to prevention.

A Pap test lasts about 2 to 5 minutes. You will be asked to change out of your clothes and into a gown. While you lie on your back on the exam table, the doctor or nurse puts a medical tool (called a speculum) into your vagina, opening it to see the cervix. She will use a special brush to collect a few cells from the cervix. These cells are sent to a lab for testing. Some women may find the test uncomfortable, but there is usually no pain involved.

The doctor or nurse will also do a pelvic exam to check your reproductive organs. This includes the vulva, vagina, uterus, ovaries and rectum. To check your uterus and ovaries, your doctor will insert two lubricated, gloved fingers into your vagina with one hand, while the other hand presses gently on the outside of your lower abdomen. Similarly, your doctor will then insert one lubricated, gloved finger into your vagina and one into your rectum, while again pressing gently on your lower abdomen, to make sure there are no abnormal lumps, pains or problems that can be felt while examining your reproductive organs.

No special preparation is required for your Pap test or pelvic exam. It is recommended that you schedule it on a day when you don’t have your period.

• Cervical Cancer Screening Fact Sheet
• Cervical Cancer Screening and the Pap Test

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