Skip left navigation

Home > A-Z Health Topics > Minority Women's Health > Latinas > Cervical cancer

Cervical cancer

• More information on cervical cancer in English
• Más recursos en español (Additional resources in Spanish)

Cervical cancer is a disease in which cancer cells are found in the tissues of the cervix. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus (where a baby grows). Cervical cancer is caused by several types of a virus called human papillomavirus (pap-uh-LOH-muh-veye-ruhss), or HPV. HPV is very common. It spreads through sexual contact. Most women's bodies are able to fight off infection with HPV. But in some women, HPV can cause normal cells in the cervix to turn into cancer. This usually happens over a period of time. Cancer that goes untreated starts to grow and spread more deeply into the cervix and to nearby areas.

The good news is that cervical cancer is the easiest female cancer to prevent. By getting regular Pap tests, your doctor can find and treat abnormal cells before they turn into cancer.

Women should have their first Pap test at age 21. After your first Pap test, you should have a Pap test every two to three years depending on your age and other factors. Ask your doctor about how often you need a Pap test. Women who have had the HPV vaccine still need to have Pap tests.

Latinas have the highest rates of cervical cancer of all groups of women. Latinas also are more likely to die from cervical cancer than non-Hispanic whites. Lack of screening is an important factor behind this disparity. In fact, 6 in 10 cervical cancers occur in women who have never received a Pap test or have not been tested in the past five years.

The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program program provides free or low-cost breast and cervical cancer screening to women who don't have health insurance. To learn more about this program, please contact the CDC at 800-CDC-INFO (232-4636).

Return to top

More information on cervical cancer in English

Read more from womenshealth.gov

• Cervical Cancer Fact Sheet — This fact sheet answers the common questions patients have regarding cervical cancer.
  http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/cervical-cancer.cfm

Explore other publications and websites

• Cancer Health Disparities — This on-line fact sheet gives a brief overview of the currently available data on cancer health disparities among racial and ethnic groups. It also summarizes some NCI research projects and initiatives designed to understand and eventually eliminate these disparities.
  http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/disparities/cancer-health-disparities
• Cervical Cancer (PDQ®) Treatment — Patients — This publication provides information on cervical cancer that is geared towards patients. It includes a definition of cervical cancer, explanations of the different stages of cervical cancer, treatment options, and where to go for more information.
  http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/cervical/patient/
• Cervical Cancer Risk Questionnaire (Copyright © Siteman Cancer Center) — This questionnaire can help you estimate your risk of cervical cancer and learn about ways to decrease that risk. It takes only a few minutes to answer these quick questions about your health, background, and lifestyle.
  http://www.yourdiseaserisk.wustl.edu/hccpquiz.pl?lang=english&func=start&quiz=cervical
• Cervical Cancer Screening (PDQ®) — Patients — This page-by-page explanation of cervical cancer screening provides information about the risk factors for cervical cancer and the effectiveness of common screening methods. It also includes links for information about prevention and treatment.
  http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/screening/cervical/patient/
• Detailed Guide: Cervical Cancer (Copyright © American Cancer Society) — This detailed guide provides information about cervical cancer. It covers information about the causes, risk factors, prevention, and where to seek financial assistance.
  http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/CervicalCancer/DetailedGuide/index
• HPV Vaccine Information For Young Women — This fact sheet answers commonly asked questions about the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which is given to young women to prevent the types of HPV that cause most cases of cervical cancer and genital warts.
  http://www.cdc.gov/hpv/
• Inside Knowledge Campaign: Get the Facts About Gynecologic Cancer — This site is designed to spread awareness to women about the different types of gynecological cancers. With early detection, treatments for gynecological cancers are very effective.
  http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/knowledge/
• Pap Tests and Cervical Health: A Healthy Habit for You — This booklet describes what a pap smear is and how it is done. It also provides answers to other commonly asked questions about Pap tests.
  http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/screening/pap-tests-cervical-health
• Understanding HPV (Copyrights © Cleveland Foundation) — This fact sheet provides information on the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of the human Papillomavirus (HPV). It also gives information on cervical cancer.
  http://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/health-info/docs/3800/3808.asp?index=11901
• What You Need To Know About Cancer of the Cervix — This booklet on cervical cancer discusses possible causes, symptoms, treatments, and related emotional issues, and provides questions to ask your doctor. It also includes a glossary of terms and links to other resources.
  http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/cervix

Connect with other organizations

• American Cancer Society
  http://www.cancer.org/docroot/home/index.asp
• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
  http://www.acog.org/
• National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, CDC
  http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp/
• National Cervical Cancer Coalition
  http://www.nccc-online.org/

Return to top

Más recursos en español (Additional resources in Spanish)

Content last updated May 18, 2010.

Resources last updated May 18, 2010.

Email Print

Return to top