Cervical cancer is the third most common type of cancer in women. It is a neoplasia originating from the cells of the cervix. This type of cancer usually develops slowly and is asymptomatic until it reaches an advanced stage. It begins as a precancerous growth called cellular dysplasia. She has changes in the cells that are a harbinger of future malignant degeneration. This condition can be detected under a microscope after taking a Pap smear. Most precancerous conditions take years to develop. A regular visit to the gynecologist and a pap smear, at least once a year for women under 35, and once every 6 months after this evening, ensures the early detection of cellular changes. It is important, even with a higher degree of PAP, to conduct a secondary preventive examination, additional tests and therapy to clarify the case. The most common cause of cervical cancer is the human papillomavirus. Some strains of the virus cause no symptoms, while others only cause genital warts. Because the virus is transmitted through unprotected sex, the disease is often classified as sexually transmitted. Multiple sexual partners or sex with a partner who has many other partners are high-risk behaviors. Secondary risk factors are smoking, promiscuity, and a number of poorly understood factors. The most common clinical manifestation of cervical cancer is bleeding outside the menses or after sex. Prolonged vaginal discharge, which may be different in color, and prolongation of menstrual bleeding are also commonly observed. Neoplasia can also spread to the bladder, bowel, liver, and lung. Symptoms of advanced cancer are back pain, bone fractures, pelvic pain, fatigue and loss of appetite, weight loss, swelling in one leg. Cytosmear is the main method for detecting precancerous formations. If such are found, a thorough inspection of the cervix is ​​carried out – colposcopy. An additional amount of tissue is also taken for examination. If the woman already has cervical cancer, the gynecologist orders the following tests to determine the stage of the disease: X-ray of the abdominal cavity, nuclear magnetic resonance of the pelvis, cystoscopy, etc. Through them, it is checked whether the tumor has metastasized and, if so, how far it has reached. Treatment depends on a large number of factors, including the stage of the disease, the size and shape of the tumor, the age and overall health of the patient, and whether she wishes to have children. Precancerous growths and tumors at an early stage can be completely removed through a number of surgical techniques, so that a woman can have children in the future. These techniques include electrosurgical excision of the tumor, cryotherapy – freezing the tumor cells, and laser therapy – burning them with a laser. In women,where several electrosurgical procedures have failed to remove the tumor completely, a hysterectomy may be performed – removal of the uterus but not the ovaries. If the tumor has metastasized to neighboring or distant organs, the treatment includes a radical hysterectomy, in which the entire uterus and a large part of the surrounding tissues – lymph nodes and the upper part of the vagina – are removed; radiation therapy and chemotherapy. The latter is carried out with 5-fluorouracil, cisplatin, paclitaxel, etc. NEWS_MORE_BOX Prognosis depends mostly on the type and stage of the neoplasia and its responsiveness to chemotherapy. Precancerous growths are completely treatable. The 5-year survival rate for nonmetastatic cancer is 92% and drops rapidly for metastatic and distantly metastatic tumors. Cervical cancer is largely preventable. Since 2006, a vaccine targeting the two most common tumor-forming strains of the papillomavirus has been available. Even if there are medical contraindications to vaccination, or even subjective reasons such as fear of vaccination or mistrust of manufacturers, there are still reliable methods of prevention. These include the use of condoms, which limit the transmission of the virus, limiting the number of sexual partners and, most importantly, regular preventive examinations with Pap smears. They should start when a woman becomes sexually active, but no later than age 20.