Seasonal Health Updates

Seasonal Health Updates:  January is Cervical Health Awareness Month

What is cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer is a disease in which some cells in the cervix show abnormal, uncontrolled growth-often caused by the human papilloma virus, or HPV. HPV is a group of viruses that can infect the cervix and can be passed through sexual contact. HPV can be spread even when a condom is used. Most adults have been infected with HPV at some time in their lives. Some types of HPV can cause changes to cells in the cervix. Cervical is one of the few cancers that is nearly 100% preventable and curable when found early.

What are the risk factors?

- Women who have sex or have had sex
- Women who have HPV
- Women who do not have regular Pap tests
- Women who smoke

What is a Pap test?

A Pap test (sometimes called a Pap smear) is a way to examine cells collected from the cervix. The purpose of the test is to check for abnormal cell changes that may arise before the cancer develops. This is also called a Cervical Cancer Screening. A Pap test and pelvic exam are important in early detection and better one’s chances of successful treatment.

How often should a woman have a Pap test?

A woman should start getting regular Pap tests at age 21 or within three years of the first time she has sex, whichever happens first. Women should have a Pap test at least once every three years. If a woman is older than 65 and has had normal Pap tests results for several years, or if she has had a total hysterectomy, the doctor may advise it is okay to stop getting regular Pap tests. Otherwise, it is important to continue getting a Pap test regularly, even if one is not having sex anymore.

Is there any way to prevent HPV?

A cervical cancer/HPV vaccine has been approved by the FDA. The vaccine is recommended for 11 and 12-year-old girls. It also can be given to females 13 through 26 who did not get any or all of the shots when they were younger. At this time, the vaccine(s) only protects against 70-80 percent of the potential cervical cancer cases. Since the 1940’s, the Pap test has reduced cervical cancer rates in the United States by more than 70 percent. The Pap test is the single most effective cancer screen in the history of medicine.

What if I have an abnormal Pap test?

If a Pap test results show cells that are not normal and may become cancer, the doctor will advise if a woman needs to be treated. In most cases, treatment prevents cervical cancer from developing.

Important Web Sites

National Cervical Cancer Coalition
http://www.nccc-online.org

American Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.org

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov

National Cancer Institute
http://www.cancer.gov

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
http://www.womenshealth.gov