Dysplasia or cancer of the cervix often has no signs or symptoms. Symptoms usually only appear when the cancer is further along. Most women with cancer of the cervix have no warning symptoms and the cancer is detected through a routine checkup and pelvic exam; however, any of the following signs or symptoms should be reported to your doctor immediately:

• pain in the lower abdomen, pelvis or back
• spotting between periods
• bloody or watery discharge from the vagina
• irregular bleeding
• bleeding during or after intercourse
• pain during sexual intercourse

Note: These symptoms are also associated with other conditions and do not necessarily mean that you have cancer. Check with your doctor.

Cancerous and pre-cancerous changes in the cervix are most often detected using a Pap smear. This examination is done in your doctor's office. All women should have regular Pap smears starting at the age of 18 or when they become sexually active. Many doctors believe that even virginal women should begin regular Pap tests at the age of 18. Women who have had a hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus) and those past menopause still need to have regular Pap tests. Women who have had four normal Pap tests in the previous ten years may discontinue Pap tests at the age of 70.

Pap smears should not be used to test for cervical cancer if a woman has symptoms of bleeding and/or discharge. The purpose of the Pap test is to detect abnormal cells before they go on to become cancer or to detect early cancer before symptoms develop. This is why routine Pap smears are so important.

• Followup testing