Cancer can affect any area of the body. Women may be susceptible to cervical cancer, which affects a part of the body involved with menstruation and reproduction.

The World Health Organization says cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women across the globe, resulting in roughly 342,000 deaths in 2020.

Nearly 90 percent of all new cases of cervical cancer in 2020 were in low- and middle-income countries.

Cervical cancer may be prevalent, but it is preventable in many cases. Prevention might be more likely when individuals learn the basics of cervical cancer.

The following are 10 facts about the cervix and cervical cancer that can be helpful.

Did you know?

The World Health Organization reports that around 99 percent of cervical cancer cases are linked to infection with high-risk human papillomaviruses. Most of those cancer cases are preventable, as the WHO notes that HPV vaccination and secondary approaches like screening and treatments for precancerous lesions can help to reduce the estimated 570,000 cervical cancer diagnoses made across the globe each year.

Source: Metrographics

1. The cervix is at the base of the uterus. Cancerous cells can begin on the surface of the cervix.

2. People between the ages of 35 and 44 are most frequently diagnosed with cervical cancer. The average age of diagnosis is 50, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

3. The American Cancer Society notes that cervical cells do not suddenly change into cancer.

Normal cells gradually develop abnormal changes that are called pre-cancerous.

4. Only some of the pre-cancers of the cervix will develop into cancer. Many go away without any treatment.

Treating cervical pre-cancers can prevent almost all cervical cancers.

5. The two main types of cervical cancer are squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas. About 80 to 90 percent of cervical cancers are squamous cell carcinomas.

6. Two human papillomavirus types are responsible for nearly 50 percent of high grade cervical pre-cancers.

7. Vaccination against HPV can help prevent cervical cancer.

8. HPV spreads through sexual contact. Most people can fight the HPV infection without developing cancer.

However, if the body doesn’t fight the infection, it can cause cervical cells to change. Practicing safer sex can reduce incidences of HPV infection.

9. Symptoms of cervical cancer include vaginal bleeding after intercourse, between periods or after menopause.

It also includes watery, bloody vaginal discharge, and pelvic pain or pain during intercourse.

10. Gynecologists screen for cervical cancer using Pap tests. If the Pap test comes back as abnormal, further testing will be necessary.

A biopsy could be necessary if cancer is suspected. An HPV test detects high-risk types of HPV infection that are most likely to cause cervical cancer.

Women should address questions about cervical cancer to their doctors.

Through screening, vaccination and safe practices, rates of cervical cancer can be reduced by a significant margin.