The leading cause ofcervical canceris the human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

During the early stages of cervical cancer, signs or symptoms of the condition typically dont appear.

As cervical cancer progresses, common symptoms include abnormal discharge, bleeding, and pelvic pain.

Doctor holding patient’s hand after talking about cervical cancer survival rates

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If these symptoms appear, make an appointment with your healthcare provider and schedule apelvic exam.

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What Is Relative Survival Rate?

The cancer is small (3 millimeters to 5 millimeters) and can only be seen under a microscope.

Woman waiting to see doctor after Cervical Cancer Diagnosis

The cancer may block the ureters (tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder).

Risk Factors

Several factors can increase your risk of developing cervical cancer.

Treatments options include surgery, radiation therapy,chemotherapy, andbiological therapy.

Patient receiving ambulatory chemotherapy for cervical cancer

Drugs used in chemotherapy are given through an IV infusion that can take several hours.

A shorter method is via injection.

Chemotherapy is given in cycles, followed by a rest period.

A person holding menstrual pads in a store with a cart

Biological Therapy

Biological therapy consists of substances used to strengthen the immune system.

It may be used to treat cancer that has spread from the cervix to other parts of the body.

Interferon is the most common form of biological therapy and may be combined with chemotherapy.

Patient during a gynecological examination

Interferon treatment is done on an outpatient basis.

Summary

The most common cause of cervical cancer is HPV.

In the early stages of cervical cancer, signs or symptoms of the condition dont appear.

Doctor holding patient’s hand after talking about cervical cancer survival rates

There are several treatments used for cervical cancer including, surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and biological therapy.

Each treatment used will depend on the cancer’s stage.

American Cancer Society.Key statistics for cervical cancer.

Woman meets with doctor to discuss cervical cancer

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Seer*Stat.Relative survival.

American Cancer Society.Cervical cancer stages.

Somashekhar SP, Ashwin KR.Management of early stage cervical cancer.Rev Recent Clin Trials.

2015;10(4):302308. doi:10.2174/1574887110666150923113629

American Cancer Society.Surgery for cervical cancer.

UCSF Health.Cervical cancer treatments.