Uterus Cancer

Cancer of the Uterus:

A sharp and dramatic decline in cancer deaths has taken place in cancer of the uterine cervix (neck of the womb). Formerly the number one cancer killer of women, the uterine cancer death rate has dropped substantially in 25 years. However, there will be many new cases of this cancer in recent year. The reason for the drop in the death rate is twofold:

  1. More and more American women see their doctors for regular pelvic examinations.
  2. More and more are getting the "Pap" (Papanicolaou) smear test as part of these examinations.

The "Pap" smear test is painless, extremely reliable, and inexpensive. It costs no more than a hair set or a theatre ticket. The test can detect uterine or cervical cancer when there are no symptoms and while the disease is still curable, often by x-ray therapy. The lives of thousands of women have been saved through the "Pap" smear test. If every woman took it once a year, deaths from uterine and cervical cancer could be nearly eliminated.

Back to Cancer