Cervical cancer signs can really help you prevent this form of cancer. Cervical cancer ranks first among cancers in women in most developing countries. It constitutes 34 percent of all women's cancers. The approximate global incidence of women suffering annually from cervix cancer is 500,000. Though women at all ages are at risk, cervical cancer is mostly seen in women from mid 30s to 55, with 47 being the average age.

Most people are sadly uninformed about cervical cancer. It has nothing to do with your spinal cord or your neck. It is a disease in which cancer cells are seen in the cervical tissues. The cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus, connects the vagina to the body of the uterus. The cervix is pink in color. It is covered with squamous cells, which are scale-like in appearance. The cervical canal is lined with another kind of cell, known as columnar cells The area where these two types of cells meet called T-zone or transformation zone is the likeliest area which can cause abnormal growth of cells.

How can I find out if I have cervical cancer?: In the earliest stages, it is quite difficult to ascertain if you have cervical cancer, because there are no obvious symptoms. Irregular bleeding, bleeding or pain during sex or vaginal discharge, chronic low backache which are cervical cancer signs, offers appear at an advanced stage.

Who is at risk of cervical cancer?

Those who do unprotected sex: Most sexually active women have the chances of carrying an HPV virus which spreads through skin to skin contact with an HPV infected area. Sex at an early age, unprotected sex and multiple sex partners augments the chances of a woman's of getting an HPV infection. In other words, HPV infection can trigger cervical cancer. Usage of condoms for the sake of unprotected sex, may not help because the virus can be passed through skin to skin contact in the genital area, that is not covered by a condom. But that does not mean, one should not use condom, it is very important to protect yourself against AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases.

Smoking: Smoking increases the risk of the woman to contract cervical cancer. Chemical produced by tobacco smoking can damage the DNA of the cervix cells, making them cancerous.

Chlamdiya infection: Chlamydia infection which is bacterial in nature is also a cayuse, triggered through sexual contact.

Diet deficient in fruit and vegetables: Women who do not eat enough fruit or vegetables miss out on the antioxidant properties which keep cancers at bay. Phytochemicals like vitamins A, C, E and beta-carotene are known to prevent cervical cancers.

HIV infection: Women who have a weak immune system from illnesses like HIV(Human Immunodeficiency Virus) can also suffer from cervical cancer.

Long term oral contraceptives: Usage of long-term contraceptives for say 5 or more years can increase the woman's chances of suffering from cervix cancer.

Family history of cervical cancer: Women who have a family history of cervical cancer are also at risk. A person who has a family history of this disease may be less genetically equipped to fight of HPV infection better than other women.