Cervical cancer

Cancer of the cervix, a very common kind of cancer in women, is a disease in which cancer cells are found in the tissues of the cervix. The cervix is the opening of the uterus, or womb. It connects the uterus to the vagina (the birth canal). Cancer of the cervix usually grows slowly over a period of time. Before cancer cells are found on the cervix, the tissues of the cervix go through changes in which abnormal cells begin to appear (a condition called dysplasia). Later, cancer starts to grow and spread more deeply into the cervix and to surrounding areas. New cases of cervical cancer among Vietnamese women are nearly 5-times those of White women. And, on average, Asian American/Pacific Islander women have much lower rates of Pap test screening than other groups.

The most common symptom of cervical cancer is abnormal bleeding. Many ethnic groups share the things that can make you more likely to get cervical cancer, such as having more than one sexual partner, starting sexual intercourse at a young age, and other dangerous sexual behavior. Human papilloma virus (HPV), a sexually transmitted disease (STD), causes most cases of cervical cancer. You can help find cervical cancer early, when it is most treatable, by getting regular Pap tests and pelvic exams. Get a Pap test every one to three years if you have been sexually active, but no later than at 21 years old. Women should then have Pap tests at least once every three years. You should talk with your health care provider about how often you should have a Pap test and pelvic exam.