The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports some alarming statistics related to cervical cancer: Each year, about 14,000 American women are diagnosed with cervical cancer, and 4,000 die from the disease.
This is the perfect opportunity to educate yourself and your loved ones about the importance of vaccination and routine screenings in preventing this type of cancer.
“It’s unfortunate, but the reality is that all women are at risk of getting cervical cancer,” said Mallory Zhang, MD, in Gynecologic Oncology at Kaiser Permanente Fontana Center. “For women who want to protect their health, the good news is that cervical cancer can be prevented through the HPV vaccine and screening tests.”
What are the risk factors? Dr. Zhang noted that Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the leading cause of cervical cancer. HPV is a common virus that spreads through intimate skin-to-skin contact. Studies show that more than 80% of sexually active women will be exposed to HPV at some point in their life. Many women do not know they have HPV because it usually has no symptoms.
Other risk factors include smoking tobacco and having HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) or another medical condition that makes it hard for your body to fight off infections.
Cervical cancer is increasing among women in their 30s and 40s. Thanks to early detection and treatment, rates of cervical cancer have plummeted by more than half over the past 50 years. Not all women are benefiting from that progress, however. Diagnosis of cervical cancer among women ages 30 to 44 rose nearly 2% a year from 2012 to 2019, according to a recent report from the American Cancer Society.
Although researchers did not delve into specific reasons behind the increase, screening rates may play a big role. More than half of women diagnosed with cervical cancer have either never been screened or haven’t been screened in the past 5 years.
A 3-part strategy for the best defense. Prevention of cervical cancer revolves around a 3-part strategy that includes vaccination, screening, and personalized follow-up with a health care team for all abnormal results.
The HPV vaccine is the top preventative measure that a woman can take. The CDC recommends that young adults through age 26 should get the vaccine. If you're older than 26, talk to your doctor about whether an HPV vaccine would still benefit you.
“HPV is transmitted through sexual contact, so the best time for someone to get the vaccine is well before they become sexually active,” said Dr. Zhang.
In addition to getting the HPV vaccine, Dr. Zhang recommended that women should have regular cervical health screening tests starting at age 21. The Pap test looks for pre-cancerous cell changes on the cervix, which could lead to cervical cancer if not treated appropriately. HPV screening also occurs at the time of the Pap smear collection.
“It’s not uncommon for early-stage cervical cancer to show no signs or symptoms, and that’s why screenings are so important,” added Dr. Zhang. Early detection is critical, as screenings can decrease cervical cancer deaths by more than 96%. Find more information about cervical cancer and how to lower your risk.