TOPIC: Cervical Cancer

WHAT’S THE PROBLEM?

Cervical cancer originates in the cervix, which is the part of the body that connects the vagina and the uterus. It was estimated that 12,700 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer and an estimated 4,290 women would die from the disease in 2011.

Cervical cancer is almost always caused by several strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is sexually transmitted from partner to partner. HPV is very common in the human population; in fact, most women will get it at some point in their lives.  In many cases, the body’s immune system fights the infection, but in some cases, the virus persists and eventually causes cervical cancer in women. Other strains of HPV can cause genital warts in men and women.

WHO’S AT RISK?

All women are at risk for cervical cancer.  It most often occurs in women ages 30 and older.

The following can increase risk of cervical cancer:

• Having multiple sexual partners
• Not getting regular Pap tests
• Not following up with a doctor after having an abnormal Pap test
• Smoking

CAN IT BE PREVENTED?

Cervical cancer is the easiest of all female cancers to prevent and is also highly curable if detected and treated early.  Women can reduce their risk for cervical cancer by:

• Getting regular Pap tests – Pap tests can detect abnormal cells on the cervix that may eventually turn into cancer.  Once abnormal cells are detected, doctors can discuss the next steps for treatment to prevent the cells from turning into cancer.
• Abstaining from smoking – Smoking weakens the immune system, making the body more susceptible to infection. 
• Using condoms during sex and limiting the number of partners – Since HPV is sexually transmitted, condoms and fewer sexual partners can reduce the risk of cervical cancer.
• HPV Vaccine – Currently in the U.S. it is recommended that females ages 9 to 26 get the HPV vaccine, commonly a series of three shots that can protect against the strains of HPV that can cause cervical, vaginal, vulvar cancers, as well as genital warts.

BOTTOM LINE

• Cervical cancer is caused primarily by HPV
• HPV is sexually transmitted
• Pap tests can detect abnormal cells on the cervix that may turn into cancer
• Girls ages 9 to 26 should get the HPV vaccine to protect themselves from strains of HPV that can lead to cervical cancer and/or genital warts

CASE EXAMPLE

Rebecca is a 33 year old single mother who works for a large non-profit in New York City.  One day, she gets a phone call from her doctor, following up on her test results from her yearly gynecological exam the week before. This was the first time that she had gone for her yearly exam in a while as she has always felt she was too busy between work and taking care of her 10-year-old daughter. The doctor tells her that she has cervical cancer and must begin treatment immediately. He schedules an appointment for her two days later. Rebecca is in shock and anxiously awaits what the doctor has to say. On the day of her appointment, Rebecca and her daughter go to see the doctor and he informs her that they caught the cancer early and she has a good chance of being in remission after treatment. He informs her that she was very lucky they caught it early since she had been neglecting her yearly exams for some time and if she had come in they might have caught abnormal cells in her Pap tests before they even turned in to cancer. Rebecca is grateful for the good news as the doctor explains more to her about cervical cancer and the HPV that can cause it. After her appointment, she immediately schedules both her treatment appointment as well as an appointment for her daughter to get the HPV vaccine so she will not have to worry about getting cervical cancer in the future.