According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women. It can affect anyone with a cervix, though it most commonly occurs in women over the age of 30.
What is cervical cancer?
The cervix is the narrow lower part of the uterus that opens into the top of the vagina. Cancer of the cervix can develop when the abnormal cervical cells begin to divide at an accelerated rate compared to the surrounding healthy cells.
These abnormal cell changes can penetrate deeper into the layers of the cervix and spread (metastasize) to other tissues and organs. If left untreated, it may form a cancerous tumor. It may take several years for normal cervical cells to turn into cancer cells.
There is more than one type of cervical cancer. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common and occurs in the lining of the cervix, while adenocarcinoma occurs in the cervical cells that produce mucus. Cancer with features of both of these types is known as mixed carcinoma.
Because cervical cancer is generally slow-growing, healthcare providers can often find it and treat it before life-threatening complications arise.
What are the causes of cervical cancer?
The primary cause of most cervical cancers is an infection of the human papillomavirus or HPV. There are over a hundred different types of HPV, but two of them — HPV 16 and 18 — are primarily responsible for most cases of cervical cancer. HPV infections can be common among those who are sexually active; however, an infection will often improve and go away on its own.
If the infection does not clear up, it can lead to cervical cancer.
Because the HPV virus and cervical cancer are so strongly linked, people at high risk of HPV are also at an increased risk of cervical cancer. Avoiding HPV infection is important in the prevention of precancerous and cancerous cervical changes.
A vaccine to prevent cervical dysplasia and cervical cancer
One important step to significantly reduce your chances of dysplasia (cell abnormalities) and cervical cancer is to get the HPV vaccine. Vaccinations have been found to prevent the most dangerous strains of HPV, including the strains that are known to cause cervical cancer and genital warts.
The CDC advises that girls get vaccinated at age 11 or 12 —well before they are sexually active. Vaccination is currently the safest and most effective method to prevent cervical cancer. Girls and young women over the age of 12 should also get vaccinated, even if they are already sexually active.
Men should also get the HPV vaccine to protect against genital warts as well as penil and anal cancer.
What are cervical cancer risk factors?
Things that may increase your risk of cervical cancer include:
- Early initiation of sexual contact/activity
- Multiple sexual partners
- Having a sexual partner, especially a male partner, who has multiple sexual partners
- History of cervical dysplasia
- Family history of cervical cancer
- Smoking
- Immune system deficiency
- A mother who took DES (diethylstilbestrol) while pregnant with you
What are the signs and symptoms of cervical cancer?
Precancerous cells, also known as cervical dysplasia, generally present with no symptoms. Similar to how there are often no HPV virus symptoms to indicate you have an infection. But by the time symptoms of abnormal cervical cells do appear, it’s likely that the problem has become cancerous, making it much more difficult to treat. This is why early detection through regular screenings is essential.
Early-stage cervical cancer, or cervical precancer, generally doesn’t produce signs or symptoms. However, some warning signs may include:
- Spotting or abnormal vaginal bleeding
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Bleeding after sexual intercourse
- Watery, bloody vaginal discharge that may be heavy and have a foul odor
- Pelvic pain or pain during sexual intercourse
Advanced cervical cancer symptoms include:
- Back or pelvic pain
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Leg pain or swelling
- Urinary problems
- Bone fractures
Cervical cancer may spread within the pelvis, to the lymph nodes, or elsewhere in the body. A tumor that has spread to other organs and tissues may begin to affect those systems as well. Take note of all of your symptoms and bring these concerns to our doctor. She will offer clues as to the progress of your condition.
Pelvic pain or changes in vaginal discharge can be signs of multiple gynecological problems, so you should always give us a call if you notice these symptoms.
Diagnosing and screening for cervical cancer
Cervical cancer screening should start at age 21, according to American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology guidelines. Individuals younger than 20 are rarely diagnosed with cervical cancer and it is most prominent in the 35 to 44 age group.
Screening occurs in one of three ways.
- The HPV test. The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends a primary HPV test as the preferred testing method for individuals ages 25 – 65. It screens for cells infected with high-risk HPV types.
- The Pap test. Also called a Pap smear or cervical cytology, this standard test collects cervical cells to assess changes over time. A Pap test may also find cervical cancer cells, inflammation, or infection. During a Pap test, a speculum is used to widen the vagina, allowing the doctor to view and access the cervix. The doctor then collects cells and mucus from the cervix and surrounding areas to send to a lab for analysis. Abnormal results could indicate cancer.
- Co-testing. If you’re high-risk or experiencing worrying symptoms, the HPV test and Pap can be performed at the same time.
Additional tests used for screening for cervical cancer
If your HPV screening test results or Pap test results are abnormal, Dr. Aliabadi may want to follow up and get a closer look at your cervix. Several cervical cancer screening tests and procedures can be used to get a clearer picture of the problem.
- Colposcopy — Dr. Aliabadi uses a magnifying instrument to view your cervix in more detail. This is often combined with collecting a tissue sample of any lesions or tumors to send off for biopsy.
- Pelvic exam — Dr. Aliabadi will manually examine the pelvis and rectum to search for tumors in the uterus, ovaries, and surrounding organs.
- Colonoscopy — Cervical cancer has been known to spread to other parts of the body. The doctor may want to examine the colon to make sure abnormal or cancerous cells haven’t spread.
- Cystoscopy — The doctor will examine the inside of your urethra and bladder using a thin, flexible, lighted instrument to ensure cervical cancer cells haven’t spread.
Follow-up testing can help your doctor determine if earlier tests gave false-positive results. Or, if cancer is present, testing can indicate the current stage. Staging refers to a determination of the severity of your condition.
What is cervical cancer treatment?
If you are diagnosed with cervical cancer, our OB/GYN will refer you to an oncologist for further treatment options. Oncologists are specialists in cancer care and will be able to recommend the best treatment options. Common treatments for cervical cancer include surgery (typically a total hysterectomy), chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Your oncologist will determine the best course of treatment for you based on the cancer stage. It’s common to receive more than one type of treatment to ensure the best possible prognosis for recovery.
After treatment, our gynecologist may give you enhanced screening recommendations. Such as scheduling pap smears every three to six months for a few years as opposed to the standard screening guidelines of every three years. Even patients treated with a hysterectomy will need to be screened regularly. This is to ensure that the cancerous cells were completely removed from the body.
Have questions about your health? Talk to Dr. Aliabadi
Dr. Aliabadi and her compassionate team are experts in women’s health care. When you’re treated by Dr. Aliabadi, you’re guaranteed to feel safe, heard, and well cared for.
We invite you to establish care with Dr. Aliabadi. Please make an appointment online or call us at (844) 863-6700.
The practice of Dr. Thais Aliabadi and the Outpatient Hysterectomy Center is conveniently located for patients throughout Southern California and the Los Angeles area. We are near Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Santa Monica, West Los Angeles, Culver City, Hollywood, Venice, Marina del Rey, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, and Downtown Los Angeles.
Cervical Cancer FAQs
Pap vs HPV test, what’s the difference?
Pap screening tests check for abnormal cervical cells that could cause cervical cancer if untreated. Alternatively, HPV testing screens for high-risk HPV types that pose a risk of cervical pre-cancer or cancer.
How is HPV transmitted?
HPV is transmitted primarily through sexual intercourse. It can also be spread through close skin-to-skin contact. Because HPV infection and cervical cancer are so strongly linked, regular HPV checks along with pap smear testing are strongly recommended by the National Cancer Institute.
Is cervical cancer treatable?
In most cases, cervical cancer is treatable, especially if it is caught early.
Is watery cervical discharge a sign of cervical cancer?
Cervical precancer and early cervical cancer typically present with no symptoms. As cancer progresses, women may experience watery or bloody discharges that can have a foul smell and be heavier than usual.
Resources
Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Human papillomavirus (HPV) ACIP vaccine recommendations. CDC website.
Mayrand MH, Duarte-Franco E, Rodrigues I, Walter SD, Hanley J, Ferenczy A, et al; Canadian Cervical Cancer Screening Trial Study Group. Human papillomavirus DNA versus Papanicolaou screening tests for cervical cancer. N Engl J Med. 2007;357:1579-88.
Mikalsen, M. P., Simonsen, G. S., & Sørbye, S. W. (2024). Impact of HPV Vaccination on the Incidence of High-Grade Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN2+) in Women Aged 20-25 in the Northern Part of Norway: A 15-Year Study. Vaccines, 12(4), 421. https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines12040421
Supported by her warm professional team, Dr. Aliabadi treats women through all phases of life and cherishes the special one-on-one relationship between patient and doctor.