There are two types of cervical cancer, squamous cell cancer of the cervix (SCC) and adenocarcinoma of the cervix, with SCC representing about 90% of cases. Every year, more than 11,150 new cases of cervical cancer and 3,670 women will die from the disease. African-American women have the highest death rate from cervical cancer (6.7 per 100,000), which is more than twice that of other ethnic groups.


Signs of cervical cancer can include abnormal bleeding between periods or abnormal discharges. Such symptoms do not necessarily mean cervical cancer is present, but they do mean a woman should be examined to determine the cause.


Human papilloma viruses (HPVs) are common sexually transmitted viruses. Virtually all women who develop cervical cancer have been infected with certain high risk types of HPVs. However, not all women who contract HPV with necessarily develop cervical cancer. Factors such as sexual activity at an early age, multiple sexual partners, sexually transmitted diseases, and cigarette smoking will all increase a woman's risk of cervical cancer.


Regular pap smear tests for women who are 18 and over who are sexually active can detect this disease early, while it's easily treatable. Abnormal pap smears can be followed up with colposcopy, biopsy and laser or cryotherapy to remove premalignant lesions.


Treatment for invasive cervical cancer is surgery to remove the uterus and any other abnormal tissue, followed by radiation, chemotherapy, and biological therapy as needed.


Survival depends at the stage at which cervical cancer is caught with 95% cure for early stage disease. More than 89% of cervical cancer patients survive one year after diagnosis, and 70% survive five years or more after diagnosis.