Cervical cancer causes, screening & diagnosis

Many risk factors may contribute to cervical cancer, but the main cause is human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Fortunately, cervical cancer screenings are noninvasive and take just a few minutes to complete. Keeping up with regular cervical cancer tests ensures that any abnormalities or changes are caught early, giving you the best chance of treatment without impacting your day-to-day life.

What causes cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer is caused when cells in the cervix (the lower end of the uterus that connects to the vagina) change and grow abnormally, ultimately becoming cancerous. The most common cervical cancer causes are high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infections.

What is HPV?

HPV is a very common virus passed from person to person during sex, and almost all sexually active people become infected at some point. High-risk types of HPV account for around half of all infections, but importantly, most HPV infections go away on their own. When a long-lasting, high-risk infection of cervical tissue goes untreated, it can lead to the abnormal cell growth that causes cervical cancer.

Risk factors for cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is only found in women and most cases are found in women younger than 50. Besides gender, age and HPV infection, risk factors include:

• Smoking
• Infection with HIV, or a weak immune system
• Three or more full-term pregnancies
• First full-term pregnancy before age 17

Types of cervical cancer screenings

Using a combination of physical exams, tests and procedures, your provider can identify and diagnose any abnormal conditions of your cervix.

• Pelvic exam: Visible cervical cancer may be found during an annual pelvic exam in your doctor or health care provider’s office.
• Pap & HPV tests: A Pap test, also called a Pap smear, is the standard way to see if there are any cervical cell changes that cause concern. Getting a routine Pap test based on screening guidelines is one of the most important ways to prevent cervical cancer. An HPV test shows if you have an infection with the types of HPV that are known to be linked to cervical cancer. Both cervical cancer screening tests can be done in the doctor's office during a pelvic exam.
• Colposcopy: This procedure lets the healthcare provider look very closely at your cervix using a lighted magnifying tool called a colposcope. It can help find abnormal areas in the cervix.
• Cervical biopsy: Tissues and cells from areas that look different from a normal cervix may be removed and checked in the lab under a microscope.

Cervical cancer screening guidelines

It’s a good idea to get a gynecological exam every year to make sure you’re healthy and have time to discuss questions and concerns with your provider. In addition, national organizations including the American College of OB-GYN and American Cancer Society publish guidelines on screening for cervical cancer for women dependent on age and previous screening results:

• Ages 21-29 should have a Pap smear every three years.
• Ages 30-64 should get a Pap smear and an HPV test every five years.
• Ages 65 or older should ask if they need to continue Pap smear screenings.

Women who have had abnormal Pap smears in the past or have HPV or precancerous cells may need to get cervical cancer tests more frequently.