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The Florida Department of Health works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts.
Cervical Cancer
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Cervical cancer is cancer of the cervix (the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina). Cervical cancer usually forms slowly over many years, but occasionally it happens faster.
The purpose of the Pap test is to detect abnormal cells in the cervix, and the HPV test looks for the human papillomavirus that can cause these cell changes. When abnormal cells are found and treated early, cervical cancer can be prevented or cured.
These two screening tests, used as recommended by your health care provider, can help prevent cervical cancer or find it early.
Prevention and Early Detection
Most cervical cancer is caused by a virus called the human papillomavirus, or HPV, which is spread through sexual contact. Abnormal cervical cells rarely cause symptoms, but detection of the earliest changes leading to cancer development is possible through the use of Pap and/or HPV testing.
HPV is a group of more than 100 related viruses. HPV is passed from one person to another during skin-to-skin contact and can also be spread during sex. To learn more, visit recommendations and guidelines for prevention.
Screening and Detection
The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that women ages 21-29 years are to be screened with cervical cytology alone every three years.
Women ages 30-65 years should be screened every three years with cervical cytology (Pap test) alone, every five years with HPV testing alone, or every five years with co-testing (combination of Pap and HPV tests).
Women with certain risk factors may need more frequent screening.
Talk with your health care provider to discuss when you should begin cervical cancer screening and how often you should be screened.
Those at Increased Risk
- Infection with HPV may cause cells in the cervix to grow out of control and become cancerous. However, not every HPV infection is destined to become cervical cancer. Many HPV infections resolve without treatment.
- Smoking increases the risk of cervical cancer as well as advancing age since cervical cancer grows very slowly over time.
- Many women with low incomes do not have readily available access to adequate health care services, including Pap tests.
- If a mother or sister has cervical cancer, a woman's chances of developing the disease increases by two to three times.
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