Each year in New York City, about 110 women die from cervical cancer and 430 women are newly diagnosed. Most women who have cervical cancer show no signs or symptoms in the early stages. Cervical cancer can have a major impact on a woman’s reproductive function if it is not found until the later stages.
Women can take steps to reduce their risk of getting cervical cancer. Vaccination, cervical cancer screening, and appropriate follow-up care greatly reduce the likelihood of death from cervical cancer.
Causes
The most common cause of cervical cancer is infection with a virus, called human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S. It is passed from one person to another during vaginal, anal and oral sex. Most sexually active people get an HPV infection at some point in their lives, but only some women who have it will get cervical cancer.
Reduce Your Risk
Get Vaccinated – HPV vaccination protects against the types of HPV that cause 90% of cervical cancers, as well as other cancers including vaginal, vulvar, penile, mouth, and throat.
Get routine Pap tests – The most common ways to screen for cervical cancer are a Pap test and an HPV DNA test. For a Pap test, a health care professional will collect cells from the cervix to test for cancer or for signs that cancer may soon develop. An HPV test checks the cells for infection with the types of HPV that most commonly cause cancer.
NYC Health + Hospitals recommends:
- Women ages 21 to 29 should get a Pap test every three years.
- Women ages 30 to 65 have a choice of:
- A Pap test alone every three years.
- An HPV test alone every five years.
- A combination of a Pap test and an HPV test every five years.
To get a Pap test, HPV test, or HPV vaccine, speak to your provider.
