Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

More than 11,000 new cases of cervical cancer were diagnosed in 2009. Cervical cancer is largely preventable yet this cancer will be the cause of death in nearly 4,000 women in the United States in 2010. To help raise awareness of this cancer, the U.S. Congress has designated January as Cervical Health Awareness Month.

The primary cause of cervical cancer is an infection with certain types of human papillomavirus. Of the more than 100 known HPVs, only about 15 are high-risk viruses which cause cervical cancer. The risk of acquiring HPV increases as the number of one’s sexual partners increases. HPV infections are common in healthy women even with a single partner but rarely cause cervical cancer.

Pap Test Screening

The first line of defense against cervical cancer is a Pap test. In November 2009, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) issued its new screening recommendations. Screening with the Pap test is recommended for women beginning at age 21. Women from ages 21 to 30 should be screened every two years. Women age 30 and older who have had three consecutive negative cervical cytology test results may be screened once every three years. Women with certain risk factors may need more frequent screening.

According to the National Cervical Cancer Coalition, 11 percent of women in the United States report that they do not have a Pap test, and many women are not aware of HPV or its relationship to cervical cancer. The ACOG reports that over the past 30 years, Pap test screening has decreased the cervical cancer incidence rate by half.

Regular Pap tests can detect most cell changes caused by HPV long before they become cancer. Early detection of these precancers can be treated effectively before they become malignant. The National Cervical Cancer Coalition reports that in 2009, more than half of the women who were diagnosed with cervical cancer either never had a Pap test or had not been screened within the last five years.

Cervical Cancer Vaccine

Two HPV vaccines have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The vaccines are designed to prevent the most common HPV infections that cause cervical cancer. The vaccine is recommended for girls ages 11 to 12, although it can be given to girls as young as 9. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend a catch-up immunization for girls and women ages 13 to 26 who have not been vaccinated or who have not completed the full vaccine series. The vaccine is given as a series of three injections over a six-month period.

The designation of January as National Cervical Health Awareness Month will hopefully encourage women to schedule their Pap test screening for cervical cancer and to become more aware of the risks associated with HPV infection.

Resources
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
National Cancer Institute
National Cervical Cancer Coalition