Some abnormal changes in cells on the cervix, called precancerous, are the first step in a series of slow changes that can lead to cancer years later. If abnormal cells spread deeper into the cervix or to other tissues or organs, the disease is then called cervical cancer or invasive cervical cancer.

What every woman should know about Cervical Cancer

• The chance of dying of cervical cancer increases as women get older.
  
  
• It occurs most often in women over the age of 40.
  
  
• Many women still do not have regular Pap tests.
  
  
• About half of the women with newly diagnosed invasive cervical cancer had not had a Pap test in the past five years.
  
  
• Worldwide, cervical cancer is the second or third most common cancer among women (cervical cancer and colorectal cancer are virtually tied for second place after breast cancer).

Risk Factors:
Researchers believe that, in many cases, cervical cancer develops when two or more risk factors act together.

• HPV - The primary risk factor for cervical cancer is infection with certain types of the human papillomavirus (HPV).
  
  
• Age - Rates of cervical carcinoma in situ (cervical cancer that has not invaded surrounding tissues) reach a peak in both black and white women between the ages of 20 and 30 years. After the age of 25 years, the number of cases of invasive cervical cancer increases with age in white women and black women, but it increases strikingly with age only in black women.
  
  
• Pap Test History - Women who have never had a Pap test or who have not had one for several years have a higher-than-average risk of developing cervical cancer.
  
  
• Sexual History - HPV is a sexually transmitted virus. Women who first had sexual intercourse at an early age or who have had many sexual partners have a higher-than-average risk of developing cervical cancer. Women whose husbands have had many sexual partners are also at increased risk, according to several studies.

Recognizing Symptoms:
Symptoms usually do not appear until abnormal cervical cells become cancerous and invade nearby tissue, with the most common symptom as abnormal bleeding.

• Bleeding may start and stop between regular menstrual periods.
  
  
• Bleeding may occur after sexual intercourse, douching, or a pelvic exam.
  
  
• Menstrual bleeding may last longer and be heavier than usual.
  
  
• Bleeding after menopause also may be a symptom of cervical cancer.
  
  
• Increased vaginal discharge is another symptom of cervical cancer.

These symptoms may be caused by cancer or by other health problems. Only a doctor can tell for sure. It is important for a woman to see her doctor if she is having any of these symptoms.

Guidelines for Early Detection

The National Black Leadership Initiative on Cancer II feels that early detection is the key to surviving cervical cancer. It is highly curable if it is found and treated early.

The National Cancer Institute Screening Guidelines, suggest that the death rate of cervical cancer will decrease if women who are or have been sexually active, or who are in their late teens or older have regular Pap tests.

For more information on cervical cancer contact the Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER, Gynecological Oncology Cancer Group at 215-854-0770, your physician, local health department or the American Cancer Society. For more information about the National Black Leadership Initiative on Cancer II, call 1-800-724-1185.