9 SIGNS OF CERVICAL CANCER TO NEVER IGNORE

Cervical cancer used to be the number one cause of death for women—that is, until Dr. George Papanicolaou introduced the Pap test in the 1940s. This simple test, which collects cells from the cervix and analyzes them under a microscope, has succeeded in reducing the death rate from cervical cancer by more than 50 percent.

The good news is that regular screening and follow-up care can prevent most deaths from cervical cancer. Even better, you can get screened at no cost to you. The health care reform act covers cervical cancer screenings, part of a “well-woman visit.”

Because it usually takes several years for normal cells in the cervix to turn into cancer cells, it’s imperative to get regular screenings, either with a Pap test or HPV test (or both).

Rarely seen in women younger than 20, cervical cancer most commonly occurs in midlife. Yet, many older women don’t realize the risk still exists as they age. In fact, more than 15 percent of cervical cancer cases occur in women over 65.

Although the death rate has dropped considerably, women are still dying of the disease. The American Cancer Society estimated that about 12,900 women in the United States would be diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer in 2015 and about 4,100 would die from it.

The human papillomavirus (HPV), which spreads through sexual contact, causes cervical cancer. Fortunately, most women’s bodies can fight the HPV infection before it leads to cancer. But your risk for cervical cancer climbs if you smoke, have had many children, use birth control pills for an extended period or have HIV

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