What Do I Need to Know About Cervical Cancer?

Cervical cancer has become more treatable and much less deadly since the introduction of Pap smear testing in the 1970s. Additional new treatments and medicines introduced in the early 2000s have helped decrease cervical cancer deaths even further.

Still, it is estimated that about 4,300 women in the United States died from cervical cancer in 2023. It is important to know a few important pieces of information about this disease to help take care of your health and prevent its development.

1. Almost all cervical cancer is caused by HPV

The World Health Organization estimates that 95% of cervical cancer cases are caused by infection with HPV, also known as human papillomavirus.

HPV comes in many, many strains. Most strains of HPV have no symptoms, can be fought by the immune system, and go away within a few years. However, certain strains resist the immune system and stay in the cervix for a long time, which can cause cancerous cells to grow.

2. HPV is extremely common and nothing to be ashamed of

HPV is so common, it is estimated that 9 out of 10 Americans are infected with it at some point during their lifetime. People who have just one or two sexual partners in their whole life can still contract HPV. Because the infection often does not show any symptoms, your sexual partners will usually not know that they have it. An exposure to HPV or positive HPV test is nothing to be ashamed of, and often does not threaten your health.

3. You can still get HPV while using contraception

HPV is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, which means it can be passed on by any genital touching at all, including anal and oral sex. Condoms do not protect partners from being infected with HPV. It is, by far, the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). 

4. There is a vaccine that protects against the most deadly strains of HPV

Though infection with some strain of HPV may be almost inevitable, infection with the most dangerous strains is not. A safe, effective vaccine protecting against 6 strains that often turn into cancer is available to all Americans, both women and men.

The HPV vaccine is most effective when given before a person has ever had sex. For this reason, it is recommended that young people receive this vaccine around ages 11 to 12. There is nothing about the vaccine that changes a person’s sexual maturity or behavior; it is administered like any other shot, and will only protect them when they are eventually exposed to the virus.

Even if someone has already been sexually active, the vaccine is still recommended. Talk to your Summit Women’s Health provider if you would like to learn more about this option.

5. Those who are immunocompromised are at higher risk for cervical cancer

If your immune system is chronically suppressed, you may be at higher risk for developing cervical cancer. In particular, women with HIV are 6 times more likely to develop cervical cancer than women without HIV. If you have any kind of immune system disease, talk to your provider about how often you should be receiving a Pap smear and HPV test.

6. Pap smears test for very early signs of cervical cancer

When you get a Pap smear, the tissue removed from the cervix is being tested for very early versions of cancerous cells. If your test comes back as “abnormal,” your doctor may run other tests—like an HPV test—to see whether other steps should be taken.

Even if the Pap smear is abnormal, this does not mean you have cancer. But it is important to get your test every 3 to 5 years, depending on your age and medical history, to make sure that you are catching abnormal cells early. You can learn more about Pap smears here.

7. Because of the tests, vaccines, and treatments available, cervical cancer can often be resolved when caught early

For those who catch cervical cancer in its early stages—such as through a Pap smear—the survival rate is 92%. This decreases to 67% when the disease is not caught in its early stages, which is why it is so important to stay informed about and on top of preventing cervical cancer. But for the vast majority of patients who are seeing their gynecologist regularly and following screening guidelines, cervical cancer is a very treatable diagnosis.

Give us a call at (681) 282-5591 or book an appointment online to make sure you are on top of your cervical cancer screening today.