Cervical cancer is the sixth most common cancer in females. The cervix is the mouth or opening to the uterus or womb that protrudes into the upper vagina. Cervical cancer generally affects women in their late 40’s or early 50’s but is increasingly being discovered in younger women.

Cervical cancer may cause irregular vaginal bleeding that may be mistaken for irregular menstrual cycles. It may cause bleeding after intercourse or postmenopausal bleeding. A woman with advanced cervical cancer may have symptoms of vaginal bleeding or discharge, back pain, leg pain or edema.

An early cervical cancer may cause no symptoms at all, and may be picked up by a routine annual Pap smear. Fortunately, since its introduction and use as a reliable screening method, the incidence of cervical cancer has declined 50% and more cervical cancers are being discovered in the early stages when they are the most treatable.

The diagnosis of cervical cancer can only be made by a biopsy of the cervix. This is where the physician places a speculum in the vagina, looks at the cervix, and obtains a small piece of tissue for pathologic evaluation.

If your physician diagnoses a cervical cancer, you may be referred on to a gynecologic oncologist, a physician who specializes exclusively in the treatment of gynecological cancer. Cervical cancer is treatable and often curable, especially when diagnosed in the early stages. The treatment of cervical cancer generally involves the combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy. In certain women with early and small cervical cancers a hysterectomy may be appropriate.