Cervical Cancer: Awareness & Prevention

Cervical cancer is a term that has become a regular topic of conversation regarding women’s health as of late. The fear of gynecological cancer can be overwhelming, but January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month and we are dedicated to helping women overcome that fear through knowledge.

Be aware. Here’s how:

The cervix is the part of the uterus that projects into the vagina, and is the connection between the vagina and the rest of the uterus. An uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the cervix defines ccervical cancer, and like most other cancers, it is a serious threat to life when undetected. However, if cervical cancer or even pre-cancerous conditions of the cervix are found early, they are not only highly treatable, but usually curable.

Essentially all women are at risk for cervical cancer, though it occurs most often in women over age 30. Each year, about 11,000 women in the United States get cervical cancer, and almost half of those patients die as a result of their cancer. This may not seem like a high number at first, but the fact that cervical cancer is preventable makes even 5,500 deaths unnecessary.

Learn how to protect yourself and your family:

The number one preventive measure is regular cervical cancer screening, usually in the form of a Pap test. For many patients and especially those over 30, it is also recommended that an HPV test be performed at the same time. In most cases, this combination of testing can detect significant abnormal cell changes before cervical cancer fully develops. Women should begin cervical cancer screening at age 21 and for most women; it need not be performed after age 70. While women should see their ObGyn every year for an annual exam, Pap and HPV testing are usually recommended every 2 to 3 years, depending on risk factors and your past medical history. Check with your physician on how often you should have Pap and HPV tests.

The human papillomavirus (HPV) which is transmitted through sexual contact is the single known cause of cervical cancer. It is estimated that over 80% of people who have had sexual relations will have HPV at some point in their lives. However, even though so many people contract HPV at some time in their lives, for the vast majority, it resolves on its own and for that reason, relatively few women will go on to get cervical cancer. In addition, HPV vaccines have the potential to protect women by targeting cancer-causing types of HPV. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommend routine HPV vaccination for 11- to12-year-old girls and also for women ages 13- to 26-year-old who have not received the vaccination series previously.

Usually cervical cancer develops very slowly over 5-10 years. In early stages, cervical cancer often does not cause symptoms, but if present, is very likely to be discovered by regular screening tests as described above.
If symptoms do occur, they may include:

• unusual discharge from the vagina
• blood spots or light bleeding other than a normal period
• pain or bleeding during or after intercourse
• pelvic pain

These symptoms also could be caused by many other conditions, so if you experience any of them you should schedule an appointment to be evaluated by your physician as soon as possible.

Still have questions? Get more Inside Knowledge on cervical cancer from the CDC here.