5 Things Every Woman Should Know About Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is caused by abnormal cell growth in the cervix. In 2024, a total of 13,820 new cases and over 4,300 deaths are expected as a result of cervical cancer. The American Cancer Society reports that cervical cancer deaths have decreased by more than 50%, a reduction related to screenings and early detection. Risk factors are linked to sexual behavior, an early age of intercourse, multiple sex partners, partners with multiple partners, lack of access to screening, HPV infection, and a history of abnormal pap smears.

“Cervical cancer used to have a low survival rate. Now, we understand more about the causes of cervical cancer and how to prevent it. “Women have many options for treatments,” says Mark Shahin, MD, a gynecologic oncologist at Doylestown Health.

Dr. Shahin built a list of the top five things he believes women need to know about cervical cancer.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the Top Cause of Cervical Cancer

Chances are you’ve probably heard about human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a type of viral infection that can cause warts on various parts of your body. There are over 200 strains of HPV that can cause a variety of health issues ranging from common warts to cancer.

Genital HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. High-risk subtypes of HPV are a leading cause of cervical cancer.

The World Health Organization says that nearly everyone who is sexually active will get HPV at some time in their life. In many cases, there are no symptoms, and the immune system will eliminate HPV. But, in rare cases, persistent HPV of the cervix can lead to cervical cancer.

It can take as long as 20 years for abnormal cells to turn into cancer. For women with weakened immune systems or other health issues, it may only take 10 years.

HPV Vaccines are Available for Teens and Young Adults

The good news is there are now vaccines that protect against high-risk forms of HPV. Vaccines are safe and effective in helping to prevent HPV infections and cervical cancer. More recently the vaccine has received approval for the prevention of anal cancer as well as head and neck cancers.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that boys and girls receive the HPV vaccine between the ages of 11 or 12 as part of their regular vaccinations. If the vaccine is administered before the age of 15, two doses are recommended. The second dose should be given 6 to 12 months after the first dose.

If individuals receive the HPV vaccine between the ages of 15 and 26, healthcare providers recommend three doses, with second dose 1-2 months after the first dose. The third dose should be given 6 months after the second dose.

“The HPV vaccine is an important tool in our arsenal against cervical cancer. We strongly recommend young adults get the vaccine. It’s the best way for parents to protect their children starting at a young age,” says Dr. Shahin.

Regular Pap Smears Can Prevent Cervical Cancer

According to Dr. Shahin, women should prioritize routine gynecological care such as pap smears and HPV testing. A pap smear and a high-risk HPV screen is a screening that can detect cervical cancer at its earliest stages. The test looks at cells from the cervix to see if there are any abnormalities.

“Given what is available to us today we really should be able to eliminate cervical cancer in the US. Most women who are diagnosed with cervical cancer have not had a pap or exam over the last five years,” says Dr. Shahin

Current guidelines recommend women have pap smears every 3 years starting at age 21. After age 65, women can discuss how often a pap smear is necessary. Dr. Shahin says in some cases, a pap smear may not be necessary.

There May Be Early Warning Signs

One reason that routine pap smears are important is because cervical cancer often doesn’t have early warning signs. Dr. Shahin says as the cancer progresses, some common symptoms include:

• Abnormal bleeding
• Back pain or pain that radiates to your legs
• Blood in urine
• Blood clots
• Pain during or after intercourse
• Urinating more frequently

You should make an appointment with your gynecologist if you are concerned you may have cervical cancer symptoms. Your gynecologist will determine if you need a screening. Cervical cancer is generally diagnosed through a biopsy.

When Caught Early, Cervical Cancer has a High Survival Rate

In many cases, cervical cancer has a high survival rate. The American Cancer Society reports that the five-year survival rate for those with cervical cancer is 90%. Women diagnosed with cervical cancer are 90% as likely to live for at least five years as women without it.

Dr. Shahin says in addition to early detection and HPV vaccines, new treatment methods have helped increase survival rates. “I would say we’ve made great strides in the last 40 years. In early cervical cancer, we recognized we can do a simple hysterectomy as opposed to radical hysterectomy, remove just sentinel lymph nodes as opposed to pelvic lymphadenectomy and still get excellent results,” he says.

Doylestown Health offers some of the latest treatment options for cervical cancer. Doctors can carefully select and individualize treatments depending on the stage of cancer and other medical conditions. Treatment options may include chemotherapy and radiation. Other treatments may include:

• Cone biopsy: a procedure to remove a cone-shaped piece of tissue with cancerous cells from the cervix.
• Radical hysterectomy with mapping and removal of lymph nodes: a surgical procedure where the uterus is removed along with lymph nodes.

Meet the Provider

Dr. Mark Shahin is a board-certified gynecologic oncologist with over 25 years of experience.