Getting Started
Know Your Risks

Cancer of the colon or rectum (colorectal cancer) usually develops slowly, over several years. Take this simple assessment to learn about your risks for this type of cancer.

OverviewSee All
 Anatomy of Female Pelvic Area in Overview
The female pelvic area contains a number of organs and structures: the endometrium, uterus, ovaries, cervix, vagina, and vulva. ...more
 Cervical Cancer: Introduction in Overview
Cervical cancer develops from abnormal cells on the surface of the cervix that spread deeper or spread to other tissues or organs. ...more
 AIDS-Related Cancers in Overview
People who have AIDS are much more likely to get certain types of cancer than people without the disease. ...more
 Anatomy of Female Pelvic Area in Overview
The female pelvic area contains a number of organs and structures: the endometrium, uterus, ovaries, cervix, vagina, and vulva. ...more
 Cervical Cancer: Introduction in Overview
Cervical cancer develops from abnormal cells on the surface of the cervix that spread deeper or spread to other tissues or organs. ...more
 AIDS-Related Cancers in Overview
People who have AIDS are much more likely to get certain types of cancer than people without the disease. ...more
Understanding Your DiagnosisSee All
Detailed information on the most common diagnostic procedures for cancer....more
 Pap Test in Understanding Your Diagnosis
For a Pap test, your healthcare provider will collect and examine cells from your cervix. The cervix is the opening to the uterus. They will do this test to screen for cervical cancer and other problems. ...more
 Cervical Biopsy in Understanding Your Diagnosis
A cervical biopsy is a procedure to remove tissue from the cervix to test for abnormal or precancerous conditions, or cervical cancer. ...more
Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) uses a wire loop heated by electric current to remove cells and tissue in a woman’s lower genital tract. It is used as part of the diagnosis and treatment for abnormal or cancerous conditions. ...more
 Colposcopy in Understanding Your Diagnosis
Your healthcare provider uses colposcopy to view the opening to the uterus, called the cervix, and the vagina. Your provider uses an instrument with a magnifying lens and a light, called a colposcope. ...more
Grading and staging cancer helps determine the best treatment....more
The stage of a cancer is how much and how far the cancer has spread in your body. Here's what you need to know about the stages of cervical cancer. ...more
Detailed information on the most common diagnostic procedures for cancer....more
 Pap Test in Understanding Your Diagnosis
For a Pap test, your healthcare provider will collect and examine cells from your cervix. The cervix is the opening to the uterus. They will do this test to screen for cervical cancer and other problems. ...more
 Cervical Biopsy in Understanding Your Diagnosis
A cervical biopsy is a procedure to remove tissue from the cervix to test for abnormal or precancerous conditions, or cervical cancer. ...more
Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) uses a wire loop heated by electric current to remove cells and tissue in a woman’s lower genital tract. It is used as part of the diagnosis and treatment for abnormal or cancerous conditions. ...more
 Colposcopy in Understanding Your Diagnosis
Your healthcare provider uses colposcopy to view the opening to the uterus, called the cervix, and the vagina. Your provider uses an instrument with a magnifying lens and a light, called a colposcope. ...more
Grading and staging cancer helps determine the best treatment....more
The stage of a cancer is how much and how far the cancer has spread in your body. Here's what you need to know about the stages of cervical cancer. ...more
Deciding on TreatmentSee All
Cervical cancer can be treated. Treatment can be used to cure the cancer or control it to keep it from spreading. It can also help control symptoms or problems the cancer is causing. ...more
 Chemotherapy in Deciding on Treatment
Detailed information on the different ways that chemotherapy is used to treat cancer....more
 Cervical Cancer: Surgery in Deciding on Treatment
Surgery for cervical cancer is done to remove the tumor and not leave any cancer cells behind. here's what you need to know about types of surgery and what to expect. ...more
 Hysterectomy in Deciding on Treatment
Hysterectomy is surgery to remove the uterus. Your healthcare provider may also remove one or both ovaries, and the fallopian tubes. In some cases, they may remove other parts of the reproductive system. ...more
 Hormone Therapy for Cancer in Deciding on Treatment
Detailed information on hormone therapy as 1 type of cancer treatment....more
Detailed information on biological therapy, also called immunotherapy, biological response modifier therapy, or biotherapy. ...more
Clinical trials are studies managed by government agencies, educational institutions, private not-for-profit organizations, or commercial businesses. They develop and evaluate the effectiveness of new treatments and therapies for diseases. ...more
Cervical cancer can be treated. Treatment can be used to cure the cancer or control it to keep it from spreading. It can also help control symptoms or problems the cancer is causing. ...more
 Chemotherapy in Deciding on Treatment
Detailed information on the different ways that chemotherapy is used to treat cancer....more
 Cervical Cancer: Surgery in Deciding on Treatment
Surgery for cervical cancer is done to remove the tumor and not leave any cancer cells behind. here's what you need to know about types of surgery and what to expect. ...more
 Hysterectomy in Deciding on Treatment
Hysterectomy is surgery to remove the uterus. Your healthcare provider may also remove one or both ovaries, and the fallopian tubes. In some cases, they may remove other parts of the reproductive system. ...more
 Hormone Therapy for Cancer in Deciding on Treatment
Detailed information on hormone therapy as 1 type of cancer treatment....more
Detailed information on biological therapy, also called immunotherapy, biological response modifier therapy, or biotherapy. ...more
Clinical trials are studies managed by government agencies, educational institutions, private not-for-profit organizations, or commercial businesses. They develop and evaluate the effectiveness of new treatments and therapies for diseases. ...more
Managing Side EffectsSee All
You may have difficulty eating or lose your appetite during cancer treatment. Try eating small, frequent meals throughout the day. To improve your appetite, don't drink beverages with your meals. ...more
Fatigue can come and go or stay constant for a while. Fatigue from chemotherapy tends to happen a few days after the treatment, peaks, and then gets better before the next treatment. Fatigue from radiation may not happen right away. ...more
Chemotherapy Side EffectsOther Treatment Side Effects
You may have difficulty eating or lose your appetite during cancer treatment. Try eating small, frequent meals throughout the day. To improve your appetite, don't drink beverages with your meals. ...more
Fatigue can come and go or stay constant for a while. Fatigue from chemotherapy tends to happen a few days after the treatment, peaks, and then gets better before the next treatment. Fatigue from radiation may not happen right away. ...more
Prevention and ScreeningSee All
 The Facts on Chlamydia in Prevention and Screening
Chlamydia is the most frequently reported infectious disease in the U.S. Anyone who has sex is at risk for chlamydia. ...more
Women suffer more frequent and severe symptoms from STDs. Some STDs can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, which can lead to both infertility and ectopic pregnancy. ...more
 The Facts on Chlamydia in Prevention and Screening
Chlamydia is the most frequently reported infectious disease in the U.S. Anyone who has sex is at risk for chlamydia. ...more
Women suffer more frequent and severe symptoms from STDs. Some STDs can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, which can lead to both infertility and ectopic pregnancy. ...more
Cancer FAQsSee All
 Cervical Cancer: Overview in Cancer FAQs
Cervical cancer is cancer that starts in the cervix. Learn more about symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments. ...more
 Cervical Cancer: Overview in Cancer FAQs
Cervical cancer is cancer that starts in the cervix. Learn more about symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments. ...more