Did you ever wonder about the most common types of cancer worldwide that women get?
The truth is that cervical cancer is the world’s second-most common cancer affecting women, with about 500,000 women diagnosed every year and more than 280,000 dying from it. Globally, it is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women.
Cervical cancer is caused by certain types of human papillomavirus, or (HPV). For most women, the virus will go away on its own. But for some, it can lead to cervical cancer. Most often this can take a number of years, but that may vary.
In the United States, Pap screening programs have greatly reduced deaths from cervical cancer. Still, it is estimated that about 10,000 American women will be diagnosed this year. Many women do not realize that the infection that might lead to cervical cancer is called the human papillomavirus (HPV).
While half of all women who develop cervical cancer are between 35 and 55 years old, many of these women were probably exposed to cancer-causing HPV types in their late teens or early 20s.
The good news is that you have the power to reduce your chance of getting cervical cancer. By getting routine Pap screening tests, you can help prevent this devastating disease.
What is cervical cancer?
The cervix is the cone-shaped part of the uterus that connects the upper part of the uterus (the womb) and the vagina. Cervical cancer develops when abnormal cells in the lining of the cervix begin to multiply out of control.
Abnormal cervical cells can gather to form a lump called a tumor. Benign (non-cancerous) tumors do not spread and usually are not harmful. Malignant (cancerous) tumors, however, spread from their sources and can grow into life-threatening cancers.
