Cervical Cancer Q&A
Information from the California Department of Health Services, Cancer Detection Section

Why is cervical cancer important?
Cervical cancer is one of the most common and curable types of cancer found in women in the United States. Almost all cervical cancer is caused by HPV (Human Papillomavirus), a virus that is transferred sexually. This virus can live in the body for many years.

Cervical cancer develops when cells grow uncontrolled in the cervix. It is important to find abnormally growing cells before they become cancerous.

What are the signs of cervical cancer?
Often, there are no signs or symptoms of cervical cancer. However, signs can include bleeding or spotting from your vagina that isn’t normal or isn’t from your period, other abnormal discharge from your vagina, bleeding after you’ve had sex, or pain during sex. Pain and these general symptoms are usually late signs of cervical cancer.

Who is at risk for cervical cancer?
- Women who are, or ever have been, sexually active.
- Women who have never had a Pap test, or who have not had one in many years.
- Women who smoke.

What adds to my risk of getting cervical cancer?
The risk of cervical cancer is closely linked to HPV, a virus that can be spread during sex. HPV can cause genital warts and can increase cervical cancer risk, but most women with HPV never have a cancer.

Women also add to their risk if they:
- have sex at an early age
- have sex with multiple partners
- have sex with a partner who has had many sexual partners
- smoke cigarettes

How do I detect cervical cancer early?
Get a Pap test from a health care professional. You should get a Pap test once a year with a recto-vaginal pelvic exam if you are sexually active or are at least 18 years old. If your Pap tests show no signs of cancer or precancerous changes after three years or more of regular tests, your health care professional will decide whether to give you the Pap test less often.

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