Your Body: Cervical cancer treatment

getty_4517_doctorpatient

iStock/ThinkstockBy DR. JENNIFER ASHTON, ABC News Senior Medical Contributor

There are about 12,000 cases of cervical cancer diagnosed in the United States annually — and each year, about 4,000 women die from it.

When it comes to treatment options, there are two main factors at play: One is the stage of the disease, and two is the woman’s desire for future fertility.

But when we talk about cervical cancer, prevention and screening are key.

The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is widely credited for helping reduce the rate of cervical cancer in the U.S. And when it comes to screening, it’s done with a simple and painless pap smear, which should start at the age of 21 and occur every three to five years for the average woman.

Copyright © 2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.

imgi_51_by_numbers_bg

Central Oregon Walk to End Alzheimer’s

October 12, 2025 Entertainment, Health

Join us on Sunday, October 12, for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s Central Oregon. Held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s® is the world’s largest fundraiser for Alzheimer’s care,