Cervical Cancer

General Cancer Information Cervical Cancer

A type of cancer that occurs in the cells of the cervix—the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. It develops when abnormal cells in the cervix grow uncontrollably and can potentially spread to other parts of the body.

It is most common in (but not limited to)...

Women aged 30 to 50
Rare under age 21
Risk increases with age, but regular screening lowers this risk significantly
Underserved populations (less access to healthcare or screening)
Women in low- and middle-income countries (due to lack of HPV vaccines and screening)
Black and Hispanic women in the U.S. have higher rates of advanced cervical cancer and lower screening access

Some risk factors that make your chances of cervical cancer greater:

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection, especially high-risk strains like HPV-16 and HPV-18 spread through skin-to-skin sexual contact
Lack of regular screening
Weakened immune system
Smoking
Early sexual activity
Multiple sexual partners
Long-term use of birth control pills
Having many full-term pregnancies
Young age at first full-term pregnancy
Low socioeconomic status
Family history of cervical cancer

Symptoms/When to contact a doctor:

Abnormal vaginal bleeding: after sex, between periods, after menopause, longer or heavier periods than usual
Unusual vaginal discharge: watery, bloody, or foul-smelling; may be pink or brown
Pelvic pain that is constant or intermittent
Pain during or after sex (dyspareunia)
If the cancer has spread, it may cause difficulty urinating or blood in urine, difficulty having bowel movements, swelling in legs, fatigue or unexplained weight loss, back or leg pain

Learn more

Find screening timelines and follow-up steps on the Cervical Cancer Screening page.

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