Women under age 26 who have not yet been sexually active can reduce their risk of developing cervical cancer by getting immunized against the human papillomavirus (HPV) strains that cause 70% of cervical cancers, with the vaccine that was just approved for use late last year. All women who have already been sexually active, or who are older than 26, can reduce their risk of developing cervical cancer by not smoking or having multiple sex partners, and by having regular pelvic examinations and Pap tests to help find any abnormality in the cervix before it turns into an actual cancer or to detect cervical cancer early when it can be more easily treated.
This January, during Cervical Cancer Screening Month and Cervical Health Awareness Month, the Medical Society of the State of New York reminds women that by taking these and other positive actions, they may reduce their risk of developing cervical cancer. As a bonus they may reduce their risk of getting or suffering from other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) as well.
Cervical cancer develops when cells lining the cervix-the part of the uterus or womb that connects with the vagina-become abnormal and begin to grow out of control. These cells can cause a mass or tumor. Malignant or cancerous tumors can spread to other parts of the body and be life threatening. Cervical cancer was once a common cause of cancer death in women in the United States, but widespread use of the Pap test has greatly reduced the number of women who die of the disease. According to the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation, when cervical cancer is detected early, it is nearly 100% curable. Now the risk of developing cervical cancer in the first place is drastically reduced for those eligible for immunization with the new vaccine.
Risky behaviors for cervical cancer and STIs
STIs are rampant in the United States; the Women’s Cancer Network estimates that at least one in five people currently has an STI. Since many women with STIs do not experience any symptoms, the STIs are often not diagnosed unless serious complications develop. This is particularly true of human papillomavirus (HPV), which is transmitted through sexual contact. Although most HPV infections go away without treatment and do not lead to cervical cancer, HPV is the main cause of cervical cancer.
Women should be aware of the behaviors that put them at increased risk of contracting HPV and of developing cervical cancer. These include smoking; sexual intercourse, especially at an early age; having multiple sexual partners, binge drinking leading to multiple sexual partners; and having a partner who has multiple sexual partners. Changes in these behaviors will also reduce the chance of developing other STIs, but even condoms and other prophylactics cannot fully protect against the HPV virus.
Regular screening can be a life saver
There are a number of screening methods available to help detect cervical cancer and associated HPV, but the traditional Pap test or smear is still the most recommended. To perform this simple, painless screening test, a physician collects cells from the cervix and transfers the cells to a slide for examination under a microscope.
If abnormal cells are found, additional tests may be ordered. In most cases, abnormal Pap tests are not related to cancer, but are due to bacterial or yeast infections or other causes. In addition to taking the cell sample, the physician will also conduct a pelvic examination to check the size and shape of the other reproductive organs.
The Society of Gynecologic Oncologists (SGO) and its Gynecologic Cancer Foundation (GCF), the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the American Cancer Society, the Women’s Cancer Network, and other organizations concerned about women’s health have similar recommendations for the timely screening for cervical cancer. The medical society excerpted the information below from that issued by the NCI.
• A woman should have her first cervical cancer screening at age 21 or approximately three years after she begins having sexual intercourse, whichever comes first.
• Experts recommend waiting approximately three years following the initiation of sexual activity because transient HPV infections and cervical cell changes that are not significant are common, and it takes years for a significant abnormality or cancer to develop. Cervical cancer is extremely rare in women under the age of 25.
• Women who are at higher than average risk of cervical cancer due to factors such as HIV infection should seek expert medical advice about when to begin screening, how often to be screened, and when they can discontinue cervical screenings.
• Women should have a Pap test at least once every three years.
• Women 65 to 70 years of age who have had at least three normal Pap tests and no abnormal Pap tests in the last 10 years may, upon consultation with their physician, stop cervical cancer screening.
• Women who have had a total hysterectomy (removal of the uterus and cervix) do not need to undergo cervical cancer screenings, unless the surgery was done as a treatment for cervical precancer or cancer.
• Women should seek expert medical advice about when they should begin screening, how often they should be screened, and when they can discontinue cervical screenings, especially if they are at higher than average risk of cervical cancer due to factors such as HIV infection.
For further information about cervical cancer and cervical cancer screening, contact the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Information Service by calling 800-422-6237 (800-4CANCER) or logging onto www.nci.nih.gov/cancerinfo. The Gynecologic Cancer Foundation at www.sgo.org is another valuable resource.
No comments:
Post a Comment