Symptoms and Risks of Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer often doesn’t cause symptoms. That’s why regular screening, like a Pap test and pelvic exam, is so important.

What are the symptoms of cervical cancer?

Some patients with cervical cancer may notice the following symptoms:

• Pelvic pain or pressure
• Pain and/or vaginal bleeding after sexual intercourse
• Abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge

What are common risk factors for cervical cancer?

More than 90% of cervical cancers in the United States are caused by infection with certain strains of human papillomavirus, or HPV. These forms of HPV are transmitted through sexual contact and can damage normal cells, causing them to become cervical cancer cells.

Patients are at increased risk of being infected with HPV if:

• They have had many sexual partners
• They first had sex under the age of 18
• They have an illness that compromises their immune system, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

If you have been diagnosed with HPV, certain additional factors can further raise your risk of cervical cancer. These include:

• Smoking
• Taking oral birth control pills
• Being pregnant and giving birth many times

What’s my risk of getting cervical cancer?

The best way to evaluate your risk of cervical cancer is to have a conversation with your gynecologist. However, there are also online tools you can use to quickly assess your risk and start a conversation with your physician later on.

Your Disease Risk™ is an effective tool that was developed by physicians and scientists right here at Siteman. It can provide you with an estimation of your risk, as well as targeted suggestions to help you manage it.