Is cervical cancer something I should be concerned about?

IS CERVICAL CANCER SOMETHING I SHOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT?

There are two main types of tests for cervical cancer; these include:

According to the National Cancer Institute...

  • A Pap test and pelvic exam are important parts of a woman's routine health care because they can detect cancer or abnormalities that may lead to cancer of the cervix.
  • Women should have a Pap test at least once every 3 years, beginning about 3 years after they begin to have sexual intercourse, but no later than age 21.
  • If the Pap test shows abnormalities, further tests and/or treatment may be necessary.
  • Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the primary risk factor for cervical cancer

The Pap test is a way to examine cells collected from the cervix. The main purpose of the Pap test is to find abnormal cell changes that may arise from cervical cancer or before cancer develops.

See http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Detection/Pap-test for additional information.