Get Canada Cervical Cancer Screening Data Set 2004-2026

Based on 2015 estimates: Nearly 1 in 2 Canadians (45% of men and 43% of women) is expected to develop cancer during their lifetime. About 1 out of 4 Canadians (26% of men and 23% of women) is expected to die from cancer.

The symptoms of cervical cancer are not always obvious. More commonly in the U.S., cervical cancer may be diagnosed on a routine pelvic exam performed by your gynecologist or other women's health provider. Abnormal cells may be detected on a Pap test or a mass may be seen on the cervix.

Some cervical cancer may be found during a pelvic exam. Your provider can't see precancer changes such as dysplasia. But the provider may see some invasive cancer during an exam. If something suspicious is seen during the pelvic exam, more tests will be needed.

There are usually no signs or symptoms of early cervical cancer but it can be detected early with regular check-ups. Signs and symptoms of cervical cancer include vaginal bleeding and pelvic pain. Tests that examine the cervix are used to detect (find) and diagnose cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women. In 2018, an estimated 570 000 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer worldwide and about 311 000 women died from the disease.

Typically, a pelvic exam is the first step in diagnosing gynecologic cancers, which include cancers of the vulva, uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes, ovaries, bladder and rectum. A gynecologic oncologist may perform a pelvic exam to determine the exact type and stage of cancer.

The most common screening test to detect cervical cancer or precancerous cells (dysplasia) is the Pap test. During a Pap test, the doctor takes a sample of cells from the surface of the cervix inside the vagina, and then sends the sample to be reviewed by pathologists in a lab at DF/BWCC.

Some cervical cancer may be found during a pelvic exam. Your provider can't see precancer changes such as dysplasia. But the provider may see some invasive cancer during an exam. If something suspicious is seen during the pelvic exam, more tests will be needed.

Cervical cancer accounts for 1.3% of all new female cancers and 1.1% of all female cancer deaths. It is estimated that 1,350 women will develop cervical cancer in 2019 and that 410 will die from it. 1 in 168 women is expected to develop cervical cancer during her lifetime, and 1 in 478 will die of it.