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What Do You Know About Cervical Cancer?

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), just over 4,000 American women die from cervical cancer each year. But death rates have declined dramatically over the last 50 years because more women are getting regular screening. To learn more about cervical cancer and prevention, take this quiz, based on information from the ACS.

Gender words are used here to talk about anatomy and health risk. Please use this information in a way that works best for you and your provider as you talk about your care.

1. Where is the cervix located in the body?

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The cervix forms a canal at the lower part of the uterus. The cervix connects the uterus to the vagina, or birth canal, which leads to the outside of the body.

A. In the ovariesB. At the lower part of the uterusC. In the chestD. In the bladder

2. On what part of the cervix do most cancers develop?

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Most cervical cancers start in the cells of the external lining of the cervix. Without treatment, this cancer can reach the small blood vessels and lymph vessels in the cervix. From there, it can spread to the rest of the body.

A. External liningB. Internal liningC. Lymph nodesD. None of the above

3. Which of these are risk factors for cervical cancer?

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All of these put women at greater risk of developing cervical cancer. Women who smoke are about twice as likely as nonsmokers to get cervical cancer. HPV is a family of more than 150 viruses that commonly cause warts. It's also the main cause of cervical cancer. Women with HPV or whose partners have HPV have a higher risk for cervical cancer. Sexual history is another important risk factor for cervical cancer. Anyone with many sexual partners is more at risk for picking up a sexually transmitted virus like HPV. Women are also at greater risk for cervical cancer if their male partners have had many sexual partners. The virus that causes AIDS damages the body's immune system and puts women more at risk for HPV infections. All of these can increase the risk for cervical cancer.

A. SmokingB. HPV (human papillomavirus) infectionC. Infection with the virus that causes AIDSD. All of the above

4. Cervical cancer may stay small and not cause problems for how long?

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Most cervical pre-cancers and cancers develop slowly over time. That's why it's important to have regular tests for cervical cancer. If all women had regular pelvic exams and primary HPV tests or HPV and/or Pap tests, cervical pre-cancers could be treated and most invasive cervical cancers could be prevented. One good way to prevent HPV infection is to get vaccinated against the virus. The vaccine is used to prevent, not treat, an HPV infection, the ACS says. To be most effective, the HPV vaccine should be given before a person begins having sex.

A. About 6 monthsB. 1 to 2 yearsC. 2 to 3 yearsD. 3 or more years

5. What are the symptoms of cervical cancer in the early stages (when it's small and hasn't spread)?

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In most cases, by the time symptoms are noticed, the cancer has already grown and spread into nearby tissues. Abnormal vaginal discharge or bleeding, bleeding after menopause, pelvic pain, or pain during sex may be signs of cervical cancer.

A. Usually there are noneB. Abdominal cramps and diarrheaC. NauseaD. Anemia and extreme tiredness

6. Which of these tests is used to screen for cervical cancer?

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The primary HPV test checks for infection with the high-risk types of HPV that are linked to cervical cancer. This test can be used alone, or HPV testing can be done along with a Pap test. The tests take only a few minutes. Your healthcare provider will put a tool called a speculum into your vagina. A brush or swab is used to take a few cells from the cervix. In most cases, the test is painless, although some feel discomfort. The cells are then tested in a lab to check for infection and see if they are healthy. A pelvic exam is usually done at the same time as the HPV and Pap tests. In a pelvic exam, a healthcare provider checks the uterus and ovaries, too.

A. Urine testB. Primary HPV testC. Blood testsD. Stool test

7. When should women start cervical cancer screening?

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The ACS recommends that all women start cervical cancer screening at age 25. Once a woman starts screening, she should continue to get regular screening. Women ages 25 to 65 should have a primary HPV test every 5 years. If this isn't available, a combined HPV and Pap test can be done every 5 years, or a Pap test can be done alone every 3 years. Women over age 65 who have had regular screenings for the past 10 years with normal results should stop screening for cervical cancer. Once screening is stopped, it should not be started again.

A. No later than age 18B. At age 25C. No later than age 30D. When they start having sex

8. If cervical cancer is caught early and treated, how many of these women are likely to be alive 5 years later?

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Early detection increases a woman's survival rate. When found and treated early (when it's small and hasn't spread) more than 9 out of 10 women will be alive 5 years after the cervical cancer was first found. Cervical cancer, or cell changes that will become cervical cancer over time, can often be found when a woman regularly gets cervical cancer screening. In fact, cervical cancer is most common in women who don't have regular screening tests. Regular screening and then removing or killing any abnormal cells that are found can prevent cervical cancer from developing.

A. Almost all of themB. 4 out 5C. 1 out of 2D. 3 out of 10

Your score was:

Online Medical Reviewer: Goodman, Howard, MD
Online Medical Reviewer: Gotwals, Jessica, BSN, MPH
Online Medical Reviewer: Gotwals, Jessica, RN, BSN, MPH

Date Last Reviewed: 4/1/2023

© 2000-2024 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.

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