Cervical cancer was once the most common cancer in women. But between 1955 and 1992, the number of cervical cancer deaths dropped by 74 percent -- thanks to increased use of the Pap test, a screening tool that can find changes in the cervix before cancer develops and can also detect cancer in its most curable stage. The Pap test is still widely used. And the cervical cancer death rate continues to drop four percent every year.

In 2006, about 9,700 new cases of invasive cervical cancer will be diagnosed in the United States. About 3,700 women will die from the disease. Non-invasive cervical cancer is believed to be four times more common than the invasive form of the disease. Nearly all of these cases can be cured.

Cervical cancer typically occurs in women between the ages of 35 and 55 and rarely in women under the age of 20. It affects mostly Hispanic women, and African-American women develop the disease 50 percent more often than non-Hispanic white women. Women most as risk for cervical cancer are smokers, those with HIV or chlamydia infections, those with diets low in fruit and vegetable consumption, those who between 1940 and 1971 took the hormonal drug DES, and those who have taken oral contraceptives for extended periods of time. Women who have had multiple pregnancies, have a family history of the disease, and have a low socio-economic status are also at risk. Those most at risk, however, are women with human papilloma virus.

Human papilloma virus (HPV) is the most common risk factor for cervical cancer, and some experts believe a woman must have HPV to contract cervical cancer. There are 100 different types of HPV, 13 of which are likely to cause cervical cancer through sexual contact. There are usually no symptoms of HPV, but possible signs of cervical cancer can include vaginal bleeding, unusual discharge, pelvic pain, and pain during sexual intercourse.

There are two ways to stop cervical cancer. First, women can protect themselves against HPV. Protection comes in the form of delaying sexual activity, limiting the amount of sexual partners and their partners, using condoms (thought to be 70 percent effective) and receiving the cervical cancer vaccine, recommended for use in females ages 11-26. The vaccine is most effective for women who have never been sexually active. Second, women can receive regular Pap tests in order to catch pre-cancers. Pap tests are recommended for women three years after their first sexual encounter and before the age of 21 -- and then every year after that.

An abnormal Pap test typically prompts a colposcopy -- a technique that uses a scope to examine the cervix. Diagnosis usually stems from a combination of other scoping methods, pelvic exams, imaging tests, and biopsies used to confirm the presence of cancer and to stage the disease. Stages range from 0-4.

For non-invasive cervical cancer, surgery -- ranging from removal of the cancerous tissue to hysterectomy -- may be the only treatment necessary. For invasive forms of the cancer, surgery is often followed by radiation and chemotherapy. Women interested in preserving their fertility should discuss options with their physicians.

The state of cervical cancer has come a long way over the years. And this year, two critical developments emerged. In June 2006, the FDA approved the first drug for late-stage cervical cancer. The drug, Hycamtin, is recommended for use in combination with chemotherapy. Also is June, the cervical cancer vaccine, Gardasil, was released. Both developments are monumental -- and both will undoubtedly help decrease the already-dropping cervical cancer death rate.

For more information about cervical cancer, visit the following sites:

American Cancer Society
Mayo Clinic
Medline Plus
National Women's Health Information Center

For women who undergo hysterectomy as part of cancer treatment in becoming a cancer survivor, Hyster Sisters is a woman-to-woman community support website for hysterectomy recovery. With 93,581 members, 1,726,500 posts and 240,569 threads, Hyster Sisters is a vibrant and active destination for women facing the unique challenges of a hysterectomy seeking compassionate and understanding support.

According to Hyster Sisters creator Kathy Kelley, self-admitted avid internet junkie, after having a total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral oopherectomy, she began Hyster Sisters as a hobby eight years ago. "I wanted a way to connect women for support and sharing through a difficult process."

From the humble beginnings of free webspace to a domain of its own, membership in Hyster Sisters remains free for all women who come to it seeking a connection with other women who understand and can relate. Kathy has written a book, and there is a Hyster Sisters store of products to ease the journey through surgery and in surviving the new challenges after a hysterectomy. Featured items include the Hyster Sisters Guide, Swelly Belly Band, Chillow Personal Cooling Device, Deluxe Princess Package, Natural Woman Progesterone Cream and a selection of books.

Sometimes, it is a dizzying stomach lurching head rush roller coaster ride trying to hang on to the handle bar of truth when it comes to the latest in research findings regarding estrogen therapy. It puts women at a higher risk for breast cancer. No, it doesn't show any increased risks for breast cancer. Up and down, loop-de-loop we go.

Originally, studies showed that the estrogen progestin combination of hormone therapy for postmenopausal women did raise the risks for breast cancer. Then, along comes the results from the Women's Health Initiative stating there was no increased risk of breast cancer for women taking estrogen therapy alone, in women who took estrogen therapy for seven years.

Now, a new study, heralded as the study to clear up any confusion, states that postmenopausal women who have had a hysterectomy and used estrogen therapy for 15 years are indeed at a higher risk for breast cancer. Perhaps we should just accept that hormone therapy is probably not the best solution for any of the reasons women are using it, and seriously start looking at alternative methods. Breast cancer is a high price to pay for any benefit estrogen therapy might provide.

Chemotherapy causes nausea, weakness and hair loss. Certainly challenging enough to manage during cancer treatment. Add to that hot flashes, flushes, night sweats and cold flashes, a clammy feeling, sporadic rapid heart beat, irritability, mood swings, sudden tears, insomnia, fatigue, feelings of anxiety, dread, apprehension, difficulty concentrating, disorientation and mental confusion, and you have chemo-induced menopause. For premenopausal women who are diagnosed with cancer, chemo-induced menopause comes quickly, without warning. There are no years of perimenopause, where symptoms of menopause begin to ease their way, wispy and whispery, into a woman’s consciousness, signaling change is ahead. No, with chemo-induced menopause, a woman is pushed into a dive off a cliff, praying on the way down she can remember form and have the ability to swim.

Sue Richards blogs personal perspective and experience at My Menopause Blog, on how to punctuate life without a period. Her daily life is simple and rich, a complexity of moments she weaves into a story of continuum worth telling. From hot flashes to life stages, men and menopause, menopause fashion and menopause news, Richards is authentic at all times, sharing inherent confusion and insight into one of the most significant stations in the journey of a woman's life. My Menopause blog, in being all about the menopause phases, of transition and transformation, in all the quirky moments of getting from here to there, and hot flashes in between, is a welcome respite and repose, an oasis of charm in wit and wisdom for women.

 Minnie Pauz offers Minnie Moments and humor replacement therapy - her version of HRT. Power Surge, in its 13th year online, is a warm and caring community for women in menopause. Power Surge was created by Alice Lotto Stamm, better known by the online persona, "Dearest," a name given her by a friend who installed her first AOL software.

Women are intuitive in knowing it's best not to travel alone, and building community leads to healing. The station after menopause is an arrival into the mystical circle of wisewomen, the gatekeepers of community. The journey through menopause a challenge in time of life changes. For chemo-induced menopause, a challenge of life changes defying the natural designs of time.