In 2006, the American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates there will be about 9,710 new cases of cervical cancer diagnosed in the United States, and that about 3,700 women will die from the disease.
Race also seems to play a role in your chances of developing cervical cancer. It happens to Hispanic women twice as often as it does to Caucasian women. And African American women develop this cancer at about one and a half times the rate that Caucasian women do.
Another important thing to remember is that by going to your doctor and having regular Pap tests, you can also help reduce your chances of developing cervical cancer. This simple test that can detect abnormal cervical cells has greatly reduced cervical cancer deaths in the United States. That's because cervical precancer, and even some cancers, can be treated successfully if they're detected early before they have the chance to spread.
The ACS states that between 60% and 80% of women who are newly diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer had not had a Pap test within the 5 years before being diagnosed—and many had never had one at all. That's why you should follow your doctor's recommendation about Pap tests.
