Resources

Actress Cote de Pablo Talks About Her Own Cervical Cancer Scare and Shares Advice for Other Women

AMIGAS is Designed to Increase Cervical Cancer Screening among Hispanic Women

Basic Information About Cervical Cancer
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Cervical Cancer Fact Sheet

HPV and Cancer
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National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program - Find a Screening Provider Near You

Test Your Knowledge About Cervical Cancer Mobile App

TV, Radio, and Print PSAs

What Can I Do to Reduce My Risk of Cervical Cancer?
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What Should I Know About Screening?
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CDC Podcasts
Listen to the latest podcasts on women’s health.

CDC E-Cards
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Improve Hispanic Women’s Health

During National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15), we highlight opportunities to address issues that impact the health of Hispanic women in our communities.

CERVICAL CANCER

Source: Cervical Cancer Rates by Race and Ethnicity

All women are at risk for cervical cancer. It occurs most often in women over age 30. Each year, about 12,000 women in the United States get cervical cancer, and about 4,000 women die from it. In 2012, Hispanic women had the highest rate of getting cervical cancer, and were the second mostly likely to die of cervical cancer.

ON PREVENTION:

Cervical cancer is highly preventable in most Western countries because screening tests and a vaccine to prevent human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are available.
The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the main cause of cervical cancer. HPV is a common virus that is passed from one person to another during sex. At least half of sexually active people will have HPV at some point in their lives, but few women will get cervical cancer.
Get regular cervical cancer screening tests starting at age 21.
When cervical cancer is found early, it is highly treatable and associated with long survival and good quality of life.
Help lower your risk for cervical cancer— Don’t smoke.Use condoms during sex. Limit your number of sexual partners.

FOR PROFESSIONALS:

Every visit to doctors and nurses is an opportunity to discuss cervical cancer prevention. No woman should die of cervical cancer.
Health systems and state and local public health can take steps to help women get screened and treated as needed.
The United States Cancer Statistics: 1999– 2012 Incidence and Mortality Web-based Report combines cancer registry data from CDC’s National Program of Cancer Registriesand the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program to produce a new set of official federal statistics on cancer incidence (newly diagnosed cases) for a single year.
The Road to Better Health: A Guide to Promoting Cancer Prevention in Your Community [PDF-3.4MB] helps community groups guide their communities toward better health. This tool kit can help you: educate people on how cancer affects your community; give people tips on how to lower their cancer risk; work with other groups and community leaders to make sure people have the information and services they need; become known as a community leader in the fight against cancer; and use CDC’s tools and materials to spread the word.

Source: CDC Vital Signs: Cervical Cancer is Preventable

Are there tests that can prevent cervical cancer or find it early?

There are two tests that can either help prevent cervical cancer or find it early:

The Pap test looks for precancers, cell changes, on the cervix that can be treated, so that cervical cancer is prevented.
The HPV test looks for HPV— the virus that can cause precancerous cell changes and cervical cancer.