The cause of cervical cancer is a sexually transmitted virus, called the human papillomavirus. There are many HPV types and only some cause cancer. HPV infections (even high-risk types) usually go away without treatment. Low-risk HPV types can cause genital warts. It is the high-risk types cause most abnormal pap tests, precancer and cancer of the cervix, vagina and vulva.
The longer you wait to have sex, the fewer partners you are likely to have, thus reducing your risk for cervical cancer. Your partner’s partners also can increase your risk. If you already smoke, talk to your health care provider about programs to help you stop. Good nutrition helps strengthen your immune system and allows the body to dilute the effects of cancer-causing agents. Some research suggests that adequate folic acid, found in foods such as uncooked spinach, romaine lettuce, rice, lentils and, believe or not, Cap’n Crunch, can reduce your risk of cervical cancer. Condoms do decrease the spread of HPV as well as other sexually transmitted diseases, so use them. Most importantly, if Pap tests are performed regularly, you will be identified as having a problem before it is life threatening, in most cases. Now, a new vaccine can additionally help protect you from developing cervical cancer. If your healthcare provider recommends it, get the cervical cancer vaccine. [Mark--why not say if you are between 9-26, get vaccinated. We have not applied the healthcare provider caveat elsewhere.}
Usually women with cervical cancer have no symptoms, particularly if the cancer is small. The common symptoms of cervical cancer are: Bleeding between periods Bleeding or spotting after sexual intercourse Bleeding or spotting in women who have already gone through menopause Unusual, continuous, foul-smelling vaginal discharge In women with more advanced cervical cancer additional symptoms may occur, such as: Progressive and ultimately constant pelvic pain One-sided leg pain caused by nerve involvement A pelvic mass Bleeding from the bladder or rectum. It is not unusual for a woman with cervical cancer to have no symptoms.
Most women are at risk since sex is a normal adult activity. The more partners a woman has the greater her chances of being infected with HPV. Studies show that even women who report one lifetime sexual partner have about a 10% chance of having HPV infection. We really don’t know everything about how this virus is transmitted. [Mark, we say that it is sexually transmitted, so this seems a contradiction.]