January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, which means it’s the perfect time to talk about cervical health and how to protect it. The good news is that cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers. When caught early, it’s also highly treatable, yet thousands of women in the U.S. continue to die from the disease every year.
So why not make this the month you take charge of your health?
Schedule that screening, learn about cervical cancer prevention, and remind the women in your life to do the same. Together, we can make a real difference and save lives.
How common is cervical cancer?
According to estimates from the American Cancer Society, about 13,820 new cases of invasive cervical cancer were diagnosed in 2024, and tragically, more than 4,000 of those women will likely lose their lives to this disease.
Cervical cancer is most often diagnosed in women between the ages of 35 and 44, with the average age being 50. Many women over 65 might not realize they’re still at risk, but more than 20% of cervical cancer cases occur in this age group.
While cervical cancer remains one of the most common types of cancer among women, deaths from cervical cancer have gone down in the past 20 years thanks to the HPV vaccine as well as regular screenings and early detection.
What is the main cause of cervical cancer?
In almost all cases, cervical cancer is caused by HPV (human papillomavirus), a virus that spreads through sexual contact. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease in both men and women. While it can cause genital warts, sometimes, there are no symptoms at all. Because of this, it often goes undetected.
While many HPV infections go away on their own, some can lead to changes in cervical cells that may eventually develop into cancer.
You can significantly lower your risk of cervical cancer by staying proactive about your health. Regular screenings, like Pap smears, can detect abnormal cells early, and the HPV vaccine provides protection against the virus that causes most cases of cervical cancer.
What are the warning signs of cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer often doesn’t cause noticeable symptoms in its early stages, making regular screenings essential for detection. However, as the disease progresses, some warning signs may develop, including:
- Vaginal bleeding after sexual activity, between menstrual cycles, or following menopause
- Abnormal periods that are heavier or last longer than usual
- Watery or bloody vaginal discharge that may have a strong odor
- Pain or discomfort during sex
If cervical cancer spreads to nearby areas, additional symptoms might include difficulty or pain during urination, blood in the urine, rectal pain or bleeding, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss.
If you experience abnormal bleeding, unusual discharge, or any unexplained symptoms, be sure to discuss your symptoms with your well-woman care provider as soon as possible.
Can you be cured of cervical cancer?
Yes, cervical cancer can often be cured, especially when detected and treated early. In fact, localized cervical cancer (cervical cancer that hasn’t spread to other organs) has a high 5-year survival rate of about 91% with treatments such as surgery, radiation, or a combination of therapies.
However, once cervical cancer progresses to later stages, it becomes more challenging to treat effectively. At this point, the cancer may have spread to nearby tissues or other parts of the body, requiring more aggressive treatments like chemotherapy or targeted therapies, which may not always result in a cure.
This is why regular cervical cancer screenings are so crucial. If you’ve been delaying your screening, now is the time to prioritize your health and schedule an appointment. Early detection saves lives.
What type of cervical health screenings are available?
There are a couple of different screening options to check for cervical health issues. These tests can detect abnormal cell changes before they become cancerous or catch cancer in its earliest stages when it’s most treatable.
Typically, when you go to your yearly well-woman checkup, your gynecologist will do a Pap smear. During a Pap smear, your gynecologist collects cervical cells using a swab to look for cell changes that could indicate cancer. It’s a quick and fairly painless test that can literally save your life.
There is also an HPV test that checks for the virus in your cervix. It doesn’t, however, check for cervical cancer. This doesn’t mean it’s less important, though, because it will tell you if you have 1 of the 2 types of HPV that typically leads to cervical cancer.
An HPV test and Pap smear can be done at the same time, so separate appointments aren’t usually required.
Where can I schedule a cervical cancer screening near me in Florida?
If you’re concerned about your cervical health, have questions about your cancer risk, or would like to schedule an annual screening, the compassionate well-woman doctors at All About Women Advanced Gynecology are here to help.
With offices in Gainesville and Lake City, Florida, our experienced North Florida gynecologists provide personalized care to help women assess their health risks and explore prevention or treatment options for any cervical health concerns.
