Cervical Cancer Can Be Prevented

Ten out of twelve months of the year feature at least one kind of cancer awareness (July and August are the exceptions). January starts us out with Cervical cancer, which has a very shiny silver lining - it is a cancer that is now largely preventable with a simple vaccine. Thanks to the thousands of patients who have participated in clinical trials in the past, your daughters and grand-daughters can reduce their risk of acquiring the virus that causes approximately 70% of cervical cancers, as well as other forms of cancer.

What is cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer occurs in the cells of the cervix - the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. Symptoms don't usually appear until abnormal cells become cancerous and invade nearby tissue. Abnormal vaginal bleeding is the most common symptom, including spotting between regular menstrual periods or after sexual intercourse or a pelvic exam. Other possible signs are heavier-than-usual menstrual bleeding, unusual pelvic pain, increased vaginal discharge and bleeding after menopause.

Are there symptoms?
Early-stage cervical cancer usually produces no signs or symptoms, making it important to get regular screenings to be able to catch any abnormalities early when the disease is more easily treated. The current recommendation is for every woman over the age of 21 to get a Pap screening every two years. After age 30, if you've had a normal result for three years in a row, you can ask your doctor about spacing them out to every three years. Beyond age 65, discuss your need for continued testing with your doctor.

How can I prevent cervical cancer? 
The Human Papillomaviruses (HPV) are a group of more than 150 related viruses. They get their name because certain types may cause warts, or papillomas, which are non-cancerous growths. Persistent infections with high-risk HPVs are the primary cause of cervical and anal cancers. Genital HPV infection also causes some cancers of the vulva, vagina, and penis, as well as some cancers of the oropharynx (the middle part of the throat, including the soft palate, base of the tongue and tonsils.)

The FDA has approved two vaccines to prevent HPV infection - Gardasil® and Cervarix®. Both vaccines are highly effective in preventing infections with the strains of HPV most-often linked to cervical cancers in women. Garadsil also prevents infection with the types which cause 90% of genital warts, a non-cancerous sexually transmitted infection. We shared more information about this vaccine in another blog post last year.

The American Cancer Society estimated there would be over 12,000 new cases of invasive cervical cancer diagnosed last year. Having a regular pap test has been a crucial tool in reducing the number of cases since that recommendation was put in place in the 1970s, and the HPV vaccine is expected to reduce numbers even more dramatically in the future.

Gynecological Cancer in the News

September is the Gynecologic Cancer National Awareness Month and Ovarian Cancer National Awareness Month. Gynecologic cancer is a group of cancers that primarily affect the tissue and organs of the female reproductive system. Each type of cancer is named after the organ in which it originates. Besides Ovarian, other types of gynecologic cancer include:

• Cervical
• Endometrial
• Fallopian Tube
• Vulvar

Symptoms vary for each of these diagnoses, depending on the location of the cancer. That said, a general overview of symptoms for these types may include:

• pelvic pain
• abnormal vaginal bleeding
• vaginal bleeding during or after sexual intercourse
• persistent abdominal swelling or bloating
• unintended weight gain or loss
• persistent bowel changes, like diarrhea or constipation

Just like the symptoms, risk factors and prevention methods for each type of gynecologic cancer can vary. However, there are some prevention methods that can make a difference in several different types.

Reduce your HPV risk: Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted virus that has been linked to a number of different cancers. Virtually all cervical cancers are caused by HPV infections, with just two HPV types, 16 and 18, responsible for about 70 percent of all cases. Types 16 and 18 have also been found to cause close to half of vaginal, vulvar, and penile cancers (More info on the link between HPV and cancer can be found here.)

Get a regular Pap smear. Getting a regular Pap smear is a highly effective way to reduce your risk of cervical cancer. The Pap smear is a simple test that can detect abnormal cervical changes long before they become cancerous. The key to the effectiveness of the Pap smear is having it done regularly. How often you need a Pap smear varies from woman to woman, based on age, previous pap smear results, and your cervical cancer risk factor.

Avoid smoking. We know that tobacco use increases the risk of both ovarian and cervical cancers, in addition to the numerous other non-gynecologic types research has found a link to. In addition, it is linked to a growing list of non-cancerous diseases and conditions. The evidence is clear - if you don't smoke, don't start... and if you do, quit.


Some information used in this article was found here.