{"id":29588,"date":"2019-04-12T15:10:39","date_gmt":"2019-04-12T15:10:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/nortonhealthcaretest1.flywheelsites.com\/?page_id=224"},"modified":"2026-03-27T12:43:45","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T16:43:45","slug":"cervical-cancer","status":"publish","type":"service","link":"https:\/\/nortonhealthcare.com\/services-and-conditions\/cancer-care\/services\/cervical-cancer\/","title":{"rendered":"Cervical Cancer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Cervical cancer affects the cervix, which is between the uterus and vagina. Often it is caused by HPV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cervical cancer is very preventable and curable if diagnosed early. HPV vaccination and routine cervical cancer screening can prevent nearly all forms of cervical cancers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cervical cancer usually develops slowly, beginning with abnormal cells developing in cervical tissue. These abnormal cells, or precancerous cells, can be killed or removed surgically, preventing them from developing into cancer cells and spreading through the cervix and surrounding tissue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About 91% of people live five years or more after getting a diagnosis of localized cervical cancer (before cancer cells have spread to nearby tissue and structures), according to the National Cancer Institute<\/a>. If the cancer has spread to other organs, tissue or nearby lymph nodes, the five-year survival rate is about 60%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While cervical cancer mortality has declined in recent decades, due to prevention and screening, the death rate in Black women and Native American women is about 65% higher than in white women, according to the American Cancer Society<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As many as 90% of cervical cancers start in the thin, flat, squamous cells that cover the outer part of the cervix, which can be seen during a pelvic exam. In these cases, the disease is called squamous cell carcinoma. Adenocarcinoma makes up the rest of cervical cancers. It develops in the mucous-producing glandular cells inside the cervical canal.<\/p>\n\n\n

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At the Forefront of Cervical Cancer Care<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve been diagnosed with cervical cancer, you want to start getting better right away. That\u2019s why we offer same-day appointments for newly diagnosed patients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The board-certified and fellowship-trained specialists<\/a> at Norton Cancer Institute<\/a> are at the forefront of new cervical cancer treatments<\/a>. Norton Cancer Institute physicians are also researchers leading clinical trials into experimental new treatments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patients benefit with easier access to gynecologic cancer clinical trials<\/a> and expertise our physicians gain during the research studies. Once a treatment is approved for wider use, our providers often have unmatched experience with the new therapy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll have a one-on-one relationship with your gynecologic oncologist, surgeon, radiation oncologist or other specialist. The next cancer doctor you see will be either someone you know or someone you\u2019ll be seeing again who knows your case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Norton Cancer Institute has nine outpatient clinic locations and multiple chemotherapy infusion centers<\/a> in the Louisville area, including Southern Indiana. We have four radiation centers located just off major interstates with free self-service parking and valet parking.<\/p>\n\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Cervical Cancer Prevention and Screening<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Persistent HPV infection is the leading cause of cervical cancer. Just about anyone who\u2019s sexually active will get an HPV infection at some point, and the infection goes away in a year or two. But other HPV infections can last for years and contribute to the formation of precancerous cells that can develop into cervical cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The HPV vaccine<\/a> offers the most protection when given before a person becomes sexually active. Those who are already sexually active may benefit less from the vaccine. This is because sexually active people may have been exposed to some of the HPV types the vaccine targets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends routine HPV vaccination for girls and boys at age 11 or 12. The vaccine can be given starting at age 9 and is recommended up to age 26. The vaccine might be right for adults over age 26<\/a> after a discussion with their medical provider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are some forms of cervical cancer that the vaccine can\u2019t prevent. Regular cervical cancer screening is an important part of prevention. HPV tests and the Pap smear<\/a> or Pap test are two important screenings that can detect high-risk HPV infection and precancerous cells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cervical cancer screening is typically done during a pelvic exam. Your medical provider collects a small sample of cells using a soft, narrow brush or tiny spatula. The sample is examined at a lab for HPV infection and abnormal cells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anyone with a cervix should get regular screening tests starting after they turn 20. Any abnormal test results require follow-up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cervical Cancer Symptoms<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Screening is especially important, because those with early stage cervical cancer typically have no symptoms. By the time symptoms become evident or concerning, it\u2019s because the cancer has spread. Cervical cancer symptoms can be the result of less dangerous conditions and easily dismissed. Discuss these or any other concerns with your gynecologist<\/a> or primary care<\/a> provider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n