The American Cancer Society estimates that 2024 will report more than 13,000 new cases of cervical cancer, making it one of the most common cancers in women. Cervical cancer can be difficult to detect. Symptoms such as pelvic pain, abnormal vaginal bleeding, and weight loss — which also could indicate other conditions — may not appear until the disease has advanced.
In honor of Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, Chinyere Eze and our care team at Eze Health Center in Waldorf, Maryland, are here to give you the facts about cervical cancer and how routine Pap smears, a quick part of your well-woman visit, can save your life.
Cervical cancer starts with changes in the cells of your cervix, the lower part of your uterus that connects to your vagina. Most of these changes are the result of persistent infections with human papillomavirus (HPV). While your body can often clear HPV on its own, the infection can linger and cause abnormal cell growth.
Over time, these abnormal cells can become precancerous. If they’re not detected and treated early, they may eventually develop into cervical cancer. This process usually happens slowly, giving you a window of opportunity to catch it early through regular Pap smears and HPV screenings.
As cervical cancer progresses, it can grow into deeper layers of your cervix and potentially spread to nearby organs or other parts of your body. Unfortunately, early cervical cancer often doesn’t cause noticeable symptoms, which is why it’s so important to stay up to date with your screenings.
Pap tests are one of the most powerful tools you have as a woman to protect your health. During this quick and simple procedure, our team gently collects a sample of cells from your cervix to look for any abnormalities. The test can detect precancerous changes long before they turn into cervical cancer, giving you the chance to address the issue early.
Cervical cancer often develops silently, but regular Pap smears can spot the warning signs in time for effective treatment. When combined with HPV testing, Pap smears offer an even stronger defense by identifying the virus’ presence and any abnormal cell growth.
Make Pap smears part of your routine care and protect your cervical health. At Eze Health Center, we make these screenings as comfortable and stress-free as possible. Contact our team today by calling the office at 240-219-6889.
