January is Cervical Health Awareness Month
Have you put off seeing a doctor or getting a cancer screening because of the pandemic?
During the pandemic, 26% of all women that were surveyed did not schedule a cervical cancer screening, and over a quarter of women ages 40 to 60 report it has been more than 36 months since their last OB/GYN appointment. Why is this a problem?
Cervical cancer used to be one of the most common cancers among women in the United States, and it still currently is, but the burden of this type of cancer has been considerably decreased thanks to advances in screening and prevention. Despite these efforts, nearly 14,500 women in the United States are still diagnosed with cervical cancer.
Increased cervical cancer screening and prevention are critical components in the fight against the disease. Because human papillomavirus (HPV) infection causes nearly all cases of the disease, vaccines that protect against the virus could prevent the vast majority of cases. Moreover, regular Pap tests might catch – and lead to the treatment of – the disease in the precancerous stage.
By getting your appointments "back on the books," you may change the numbers.
What is Cervical Cancer?
Cervical cancer is a disease in which cancer cells arise in the cervix, which connects the uterus to the vagina. HPV is almost always the cause of cervical cancer, which is why vaccines against the virus are an important part of cervical cancer prevention strategies.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved three vaccines – Gardasil, Gardasil 9, and Cervarix – that prevent infection with certain subtypes of HPV including 16 and 18, two high-risk HPVs that cause some 70 percent of cervical cancers.
In a study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), researchers investigated the types of HPV infections in 12,514 women aged 15 to 45 and found that the seven subtypes of the virus targeted by Gardasil 9 accounted for about 91 percent of the most advanced cervical precancers, meaning that Gardasil 9 could prevent nine out of 10 cases of cervical cancer.
“If vaccination programs with this new-generation vaccine are effectively implemented, approximately 90 percent of invasive cervical cancer cases worldwide could be prevented, in addition to the majority of precancerous lesions,” said senior author Elmar A. Joura, MD, an associate professor of gynecology at the Medical University of Vienna in Austria.
The Link Between HPV and Cervical Cancer
The sexually transmitted disease (STD), Human Papillomavirus (HPV), is found in 99 percent of all types of cervical cancers. With more than 100 different types, HPV is a very common virus.
In the United States, nearly one in every four people is infected with the virus, and over 14 million people, including adolescents, become infected with HPV each year. HPV does not cause any medical problems in the majority of cases because the immune system prevents the disease from spreading, but it can persist and cause abnormal cervical cells to form, which can become cancerous.
As a result, avoiding HPV is a critical step in the prevention of cervical cancer.
Cervical Cancer Facts
Between the vagina and the uterus is the cervix, which is a long, cylinder-shaped canal. The cervix and the mouth of the cervical canal known as the "endocervix" are the two primary sections. The cervix is coated in squamous cells, while the endocervix is covered in columnar cells. The "transformational zone," which is located between the vagina and the uterus and is the area of the cervix that is most susceptible to cancer, is where these diverse types of cells meet.
The symptoms of cervical cancer include:
- Pelvic pain unrelated to menstruation
- Abnormal bleeding, occurring between the menstrual cycle, after sexual intercourse, or in postmenopausal women
- Increased urination and/or pain during urination
- Pelvic pain not related to your menstrual cycle
- Abnormal vaginal discharge
Many of the symptoms of cervical cancer are also common signs of other health conditions. If women are suffering from any of these symptoms, they should contact their gynecologist for a consultation.
Get Screened for Cervical Cancer
If found early, cervical cancer is one of the most curable forms of cancer. A simple pap test can easily detect the condition, which develops slowly. The pap test is a basic and quick test that is part of any well-woman visit. Doctors usually recommend that women receive a pap test every one to three years, although certain women may have medical issues or health histories that necessitate more regular testing than the average.
Promote Cervical Health and be Proactive
The most effective strategy to improve cervical health is to keep it simple. For those who are good candidates but haven't yet been vaccinated, talk to your doctor about the best HPV vaccination for you. Parents can also get their adolescent children vaccinated to keep them safe from infection in the future.
Individuals should always engage in safe sex, and people in partnerships should encourage their partners to get vaccinated as well. Sexually active people should be checked for the Human Papillomavirus and take preventative measures to preserve their health.
Cervical cancer is not something to be scared of; it is something to be attentive about. Vaccination, STD testing, and frequent screening are all simple actions that may help you stay healthy for the rest of your life. Test and screen for cervical cancer as soon as possible since it is preventive and curable.
Source: https://www.aacr.org/patients-caregivers/awareness-months/cervical-cancer-awareness-month/