This page was reviewed under our medical and editorial policy by
Maurie Markman, MD, President, Medicine & Science.
This page was updated on December 7, 2022.
Before the use of modern screening tools, cervical cancer was one of the most common causes of cancer death for women in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. Development of the Pap test and, following that, the human papillomavirus (HPV) test have significantly decreased cervical cancer rates.
This article will cover:
Although some patients don’t experience any symptoms until cervical cancer has advanced, it may be possible to notice signs at an early stage. These include:
All of these cervical cancer symptoms should be discussed with a doctor.
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), cervical cancer takes several years to develop. Early cell changes are known as dysplasia or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. Early-stage cervical cancer may develop without any symptoms. Typically, symptoms don’t become obvious until the cancer has grown into nearby tissue. Cervical cancer symptoms are not likely to come on suddenly, but usually persist once they do appear.
Cervical cancer may spread (metastasize) within the pelvis, to the lymph nodes, or form tumors elsewhere in the body. Signs of advanced cervical cancer include:
Cervical cancer doesn’t typically cause noticeable symptoms in the early stages of cervical cancer. Routine cervical cancer screening is important to check for abnormal cells in the cervix and/or the presence of HPV, so it may be monitored and treated as early as possible.
For people at average risk, the American Cancer Society recommends these guidelines for screening for cervical cancer:
From ages 25 to 65, three options for testing include:
Then, for patients 65 and older:
Other patient populations:
HPV vaccination does not preclude women from getting screened for cervical cancer.
The Pap test has been one of the most reliable and effective cancer screening methods available. However, the Pap test may not detect some cases of abnormal cells in the cervix. The HPV test screens women for the high-risk HPV strains that may lead to cervical tumors, and is now becoming a standard of care for cervical cancer screening.
Although screening methods aren’t 100 percent accurate, these tests are often an effective method for detecting cervical cancer in the early stages when it’s still highly treatable. Women should ask their doctor about which type of cervical cancer screening is right for them.