 |
 |
|
|
[Printer-friendly
version -- PDF file, 92 Kb]
What is cervical cancer?
Why should I be concerned about cervical cancer?
Where can I learn more about cervical cancer?
See also…
Cancer is a disease in which certain body cells don't function right, divide very fast, and produce too much tissue that forms a tumor. Cervical cancer is cancer in the cervix, the lower, narrow part of the uterus (womb). The uterus is the hollow, pear-shaped organ where a baby grows during a woman's pregnancy. The cervix forms a canal that opens into the vagina (birth canal), which leads to the outside of the body.
Cervical cancer is a disease that can be very serious. However, it is a disease that you can help prevent. Cervical cancer occurs when normal cells in the cervix change into cancer cells. This normally takes several years to happen, but it can also happen in a very short period of time. The good news is that there are ways to help prevent cervical cancer. By getting regular Pap tests and pelvic exams, your health care provider can find and treat the changing cells before they turn into cancer.
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is the federal government's authority on cervical cancer. Contact them at 800-4-CANCER (800-422-6237) or go to the following web site: http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/wyntk/cervix
You can also find out more about cervical cancer by contacting the National Women's Health Information Center (800-994-9662) or the following organizations:
National Cancer Institute
Cancer Information Service
Phone: (800) 422-6237
Internet Address: http://cis.nci.nih.gov
National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program
Phone: (888)-842-6355 (select option 7)
Internet Address: http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp/index.htm
American Cancer Society
Phone: (800)-ACS-2345
Internet Address: http://www.cancer.org
Gynecologic Cancer Foundation
Phone: (800) 444-4441
Internet Address: http://www.wcn.org/gcf
August 2003
Home | About Us | Contact Us | Site Index | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | FOIA | Accessibility
Contact NWHIC
or call 1-800-994-WOMAN
NWHIC is a service of
the
U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services'
Office
on Women's Health