Cervical Cancer - Facts about Cervical Cancer

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  1. Cervical cancer is cancer that arises from the cervix which is the lower part of the womb (uterus), often called the neck of the womb.

  2. Cervical cancer is the 6th most common cancer among women in Singapore.

  3. In most cases, before cervical cancer develops, changes occur in the cells of the cervix which are precancerous. These precancerous changes called cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) have the potential to become cancerous if not treated.

  4. Precancerous cell changes of the cervix or CIN, which usually do not have any symptoms, can be detected by the PAP smear.

  5. Precancerous disease of the cervix can easily and effectively be treated, thus preventing cervical cancer.

  6. All women who have ever had sexual intercourse are advised to go for regular PAP smear screening.

  7. Most cervical cancer is caused by a virus called Human Papillomavirus or HPV. HPV can be transmitted by having skin or sexual contact with someone who has it. However, although many sexually active women will be infected with HPV, most of them will not develop cervical cancer. The majority of HPV infections are transient and do not cause changes to the cervical cells.

  8. It is now possible to help protect against cervical cancer through vaccination. The current vaccines available protect against HPV Types 16 and 18 which account for an estimated 70% of all cervical cancers.

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