The following consumer information for individuals of all ages is offered by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists.
Cervical cancer is the fifth leading cause of death from cancer in women.
Most of these deaths occur in women who have never had a Pap smear. Early detection and treatment of precancerous lesions are critical. While the disease process is fatal if left untreated, early detection increases the chances for survival. The National Institutes of Health estimates that 40 to 50 percent of Americans who reach age 65 will have skin cancer at least once. The best way to protect yourself and others from getting AIDS is to know as much as you can about the disease and how it is spread.