Cervical Cancer Facts and Stats
Cervical cancer forms in tissues of
the cervix. Since there are usually no early
symptoms, regular Pap tests are essential for detecting
abnormalities before they become cancerous. Most
invasive cervical cancers are
found in women who have
never been screened or have not had a Pap test within
the past 5 years.
Key Statistics:
- In 2009, an estimated 11,270 new cases of invasive
cervical cancer will be diagnosed in U.S. women.
- In addition to invasive cervical
cancer, some experts estimate that non-invasive
cervical cancer is 4 times more common.
- In 2009, an estimated 4,070 U.S. women will die
from the disease.
- Most women with cervical cancer are
diagnosed before the age of 50. However, older women remain at risk. Almost 20% of
new cases are diagnosed in women over 65.
Cervical cancer
among
women younger than 20 is relatively rare.
- Hispanic women have more than twice the rate
of cervical cancer compared to non-Hispanic white
women. African-American
women develop cervical cancer about 50%
more often than non-Hispanic white women.
- Between 1955 and 1992, the number of
cervical cancer deaths in the U.S. dropped
by 74%. The
main reason was the increased use of screening
with Pap tests. The death rate continues to decline
by almost 4% a year.
- When
detected at its earliest stage, cervical cancer
has a 5-year relative survival rate of 92%.
The 5-year relative survival rate for all stages
combined is
about
71%. In general, the
prognosis is affected by the extent
of disease at the time of diagnosis.
- Cervical cancer is diagnosed at an early stage more often in white women (52%) than in African American women (44%) and in women younger than 50 (62%) than in women 50 and older (37%).
Risk Factors:
- The
most important risk factor for cervical cancer
is infection
by
certain types of human papillomavirus
(HPV). These include HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33,
and 45, along with several others.
HPV 16 and HPV 18 account for
about two-thirds of all cervical cancers.
- Some patterns of sexual behavior increase a
woman's risk of getting HPV; namely, sex at an
early age,
having many sexual partners, having a partner who
has had many sexual partners, and having sex with
uncircumcised males.
- It is necessary to have
had HPV for cervical cancer to develop. However,
the vast majority of women who have been infected
will never get the disease. Additional factors
appear to influence an infected
woman's chances for developing cervical cancer.
- In addition to HPV infection,
risk factors for cervical cancer include genetics
and family history, DES exposure, cigarette smoking, weakened
immune system, oral contraceptives,
and multiple full-term pregnancies. Some studies
have shown that chlamydia infection and diets low in fruits and vegetables may also
increase risk.
Risk Reduction:
- Women have a choice between two FDA-approved vaccines (brand names, Gardasil and Cervarix). The approved vaccines protect against infection by HPV types 16 and 18.
- Vaccination is not a substitute for screening
with Pap tests. Even in women who have been vaccinated,
cervical cancer is still possible.
- Nearly all cervical cancer can be prevented with routine Pap tests and by limiting exposure to risk factors.
Early Detection is the Key to Saving Lives...
- According to the American Cancer Society, all women should begin cervical cancer screening (Pap tests) about 3 years after they start having sex, but no later than age 21. A Pap test should be done every year (if conventional cytology) or every 2 years (if liquid-based cytology).
- Beginning at age 30, women at average risk with 3 or more normal Pap tests in a row may get screened every 2 to 3 years. (Women at increased risk should continue annual screening.)
- Another option for women who are 30 and older is screening every 3 years with either type of Pap test (conventional or liquid-based cytology) plus HPV DNA testing.
- Beginning at age 70, women with 3 or more normal Pap tests in a row, plus no abnormal Pap tests within the last 10 years, may choose to stop getting screened. (Women with a history of cervical cancer, or with other certain risk factors, should continue getting screened for as long as they are in good health.)
- Women who have had a total hysterectomy for reasons other than cervical cancer or pre-cancer may also choose to stop getting screened. Women who have had a simple hysterectomy should continue getting screened as described above.
References:
American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures
2009. Retrieved Oct. 19, 2009 from American Cancer
Society web site at:
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/stt/stt_0.asp
American Cancer Society. Detailed
Guide: Cervical Cancer. Retrieved Oct. 19, 2009 from
American Cancer Society web site at:
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_7x_CRC_Cervical_Cancer_PDF.asp
National Cancer Institute. Cervical
Cancer. Retrieved Oct. 19, 2009 from National Cancer
Institute web
site at:
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/cervical
For additional information
on cervical cancer screening and diagnosis, please
visit:
For information
on screening services for medically underserved
women:
Breast and cervical cancer screening
services are available to medically underserved
women living in the United States through the National
Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP).
The program is sponsored by the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and
provides access to free or low-cost screening for
eligible women.
For women in California, the California
Department of Public Health (CDPH) Cancer
Detection Section (CDS) provides clinical
breast exams, mammograms, pelvic exams and Pap
tests to California's underserved women
through the Cancer
Detection Programs: Every Woman Counts (CDP:
EWC). The program is is funded by a federal
grant and state tobacco tax revenue. Women
who would like to see if they qualify for the
program may call 1-800-511-2300 Monday - Friday,
from 8:30 AM to 5 PM.
Updated: November 12, 2009 |
