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Cervical cancer is a common type of cancer that affects a woman's cervix, which is part of the reproductive system. The primary cause of cervical cancer is a sexually transmitted infection called the human papillomavirus.
Statistics
According to the National Cancer Institute, there were 11,270 new cases of cervical cancer diagnosed in the U.S. in 2009. There were 4,070 deaths related to cervical cancer.
Symptoms
In the initial stages, cervical cancer does not cause any symptoms, which is why it is mostly diagnosed in latter stages. Symptoms include bleeding after sex or between periods, pain during sex, and foul-smelling discharge from the vagina.
Types
Between 80 and 90 percent of all cervical cancers are squamos cell carcinomas. Adenocarcinomas affect the glandular cells in the cervix. Only rarely does cervical cancer affect both squamos and glandular cells.
Risk Factors
Risk factors that increase a woman's likelihood of developing cervical cancer include promiscuity, having sex at a young age, a weak immune system, STDs, and smoking.
Prognosis
According to the American Cancer Society, 71 percent of women with cervical cancer survive for at least five years after diagnosis. Many live much longer.
Source:
National Cancer Institute: Cervical Cancer
American Cancer Society: What Are the Key Statistics About Cervical Cancer?
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