Frequently Asked Questions about Cervical Cancer

Some strains of HPV (known as “high-risk”) can cause cervical and other cancers, including vaginal cancer, vulvar cancer, anal cancer and throat cancers. People who are treated at Penn Medicine for one of these cancers will continue to be monitored for other HPV-related cancers. If you have high-risk HPV, smoking increases your risk of developing HPV-related cancer. 

If you are diagnosed with cervical cancer, our fertility preservation program will evaluate your options for having a family in the future.

The average five-year relative survival rate for cervical cancer is 66 percent.

Cervical cancer symptoms often don’t appear in the disease’s early stages but can include unusual vaginal discharge, pelvic pain and pain during sex. Your gynecologist may be able to detect signs of cervical cancer during a routine pelvic exam. It’s important to see your gynecologist regularly to have the best possible chance of identifying cervical cancer early, when it is easier to treat. 

All cancers are divided into stages. The characteristics of each stage depend on the cancer. For cervical cancer:

• Stage I. Cancer has started to grow into the deeper tissues but has not spread beyond the cervix.
• Stage II. Cancer has started to spread outside the cervix and uterus into the surrounding tissues but has not reached the walls of the pelvis or the lower part of the vagina.
• Stage III. Cancer has spread to the walls of the pelvis and the lower part of the vagina. It may have spread to nearby lymph nodes.
• Stage IV. Advanced cervical cancer has spread to other organs, such as the bladder or rectum, and possibly organs outside the pelvis.

The HPV vaccine protects against the high-risk strains of the virus that can cause cancer. The HPV vaccine is currently available for certain adults. Ask your doctor if it is right for you. 

Most cervical cancers are caused by high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV). See the full list of cervical cancer risk factors.