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January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month.
Nearly 14,000 women and people assigned female at birth in the U.S. are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year.
Cervical cancer grows in the cervix (the part of your reproductive system that connects the vagina to the uterus) — and anyone with a cervix is at risk for the disease.
The good news is cervical cancer is highly preventable and highly treatable. In fact, nearly all cervical cancers can be prevented with the HPV vaccine and routine screening. Thanks to advancements in screening options, it’s now much easier to diagnose the disease in early stages when it’s most treatable.
Take our quiz to see how much you know about cervical cancer and cervical cancer symptoms.
1. Cervical cancer is caused by a bacteria.
Correct
Incorrect
false. The main cause of cervical cancer is a virus called human papillomavirus (HPV).
2. You can get cervical cancer by having sex or sexual contact.
Correct
Incorrect
true. HPV, the virus that causes most cases of cervical cancer, is passed on the skin. So you can get HPV during sex or through skin-to-skin contact in the genital region. The virus is so common that experts say everyone who’s sexually active will get the virus at some point, although not all of those people will get cervical cancer.
3. You can take steps to help prevent cervical cancer.
Correct
Incorrect
true. The HPV vaccine, along with the Pap test and HPV test, can help prevent cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine is typically recommended for people ages 9 to 26. However, some adults through age 45 may be eligible to get the vaccine. Talk to your healthcare provider about your options.
4. After HPV vaccination, you don’t have to be screened for cervical cancer.
Correct
Incorrect
false. Even if you get the HPV vaccine, you should still get screened for cervical cancer regularly. The HPV vaccine protects against most types of HPV, but not all of them, and it can’t protect you if you’ve already been exposed to HPV.
5. A Pap test can detect cervical cancer.
Correct
Incorrect
true. Pap tests look for precancers or cell changes on the cervix that may become cancer and need treatment. Another test, the HPV test, looks for the HPV virus that causes cell changes. Both tests can be done at the same time. This is called co-testing.
6. Cervical cancer typically has no symptoms.
Correct
Incorrect
true. Cervical cancer usually has no symptoms, which is why screening is so important. As the cancer grows, symptoms can include: abnormal bleeding (bleeding after sex or after menopause, spotting between periods, or periods that are longer or heavier than usual), vaginal discharge with blood, pain in the pelvic region, pain during sex
7. If you have HPV, you will definitely get cervical cancer.
Correct
Incorrect
false. Although most sexually active people get HPV, it doesn’t turn into cancer for most people because your body usually clears the virus. It’s only when HPV lingers that the cells change and become abnormal, which can lead to cancer.
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