Overview and risk factors
About cervical cancer
At the UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center we provide support and the most advanced treatments available. We are one of only a few centers in the U.S. who offer trachelectomy, a cervical cancer treatment for potential candidates that keeps your uterus intact if you hope to one day carry a child.
HPV and cervical cancer
Infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is spread through sex, is the main cause of cervical cancer. If you’re infected with HPV, these factors may add to your risk of developing cervical cancer:
Giving birth to more than two children
Long-term use of birth control pills
Smoking cigarettes
Other risk factors include:
Being sexually active at a young age
Having a weakened immune system
Having many sexual partners
Getting an HPV vaccine can help prevent cervical cancer.
Tests and prevention
Screening for prevention and early detection
Cervical cancer is a disease we can find early, thanks to screening. Screening may even prevent some cancers from occurring. If tests find abnormal cells in your cervix, we can treat them before they turn into cancer.
Screening tests include the Pap test and human papillomavirus (HPV) testing. We may use these tests alone or together. In most cases, screening should begin when you are 21 and continue until you are at least 65. Learn more about screening.
Treatments and research
Fighting cancer with every available tool
Meet our team
Specialized care you don’t find everywhere
If you have cervical cancer, you’ll receive expert care from gynecologic, medical and radiation oncologists at the UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center. They make sure you get the treatments that are just right for you.
Joining your doctors are physician assistants, nurses and health psychologists. Others include genetic counselors, registered dietitians and chaplains. They work together to attack your cancer and help you have the best quality of life during and after treatment.
Locations
Care close to home
The UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center provides care throughout Wisconsin and northern Illinois. Not all cancers are treated at every location; however, we will make every effort to connect you with care at a location convenient to you.