Cervical Cancer Awareness Month is an opportunity to promote awareness about the ways women can protect themselves from human papillomavirus (HPV), the virus that causes the vast majority of cervical cancers. Organizations like the National Cervical Cancer Coalition (NCCC)and the Global Initiative Against HPV and Cervical Cancer (GIAHC) aim to educate women, family members and caregivers about the hardships related to cervical cancer and HPV, and to advocate for cervical health in all women by promoting prevention.
What is Cervical Cancer?
Cervical cancer is a malignancy that begins in the cervix. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is found in about 99% of cervical cancers. There are over 100 different types of HPV, most of which are considered low-risk and do not cause cervical cancer. High-risk HPV types may cause cervical cell abnormalities or cancer. Cancer of the cervix tends to occur during midlife. Half of the women diagnosed with the disease are between 35 and 55 years of age. It rarely affects women under age 20, and approximately 20 percent of diagnoses are made in women older than 65.
Prevention is Key
More than 12,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed with cervical cancer each year, and a quarter of these diagnoses will be terminal. Cervical cancer is the second most common type of cancer for women worldwide, but because it develops over time, it is also one of the most preventable types of cancer.
In the United States, deaths from cervical cancer continue to decline by approximately 2 percent a year. This decline is primarily due to the widespread use of the Pap test to detect cervical abnormalities and allow for early treatment. In fact, most women who have abnormal cervical cell changes that progress to cervical cancer have never had a Pap test or have not had one in the previous three to five years. Since some strains of HPV don’t have noticeable symptoms, it’s important for women to get screened regularly.
How women can reduce their risk:
- Get regular Pap tests with proper follow-up care as recommended by your doctor
- Use condoms; have safe and protected sex
- Ask your doctor about whether the HPV vaccine is right for you
Additionally, women may want to consider minimizing risk factors that could contribute to cervical cancer. These factors include:
- Smoking
- Having unprotected sex
- Multiple sexual partners
- Sexual intercourse at an early age
- Chlamydia infection
- Weakened immune system or HIV infection
Men can also reduce their risk of contracting HPV:
- Men can get the HPV vaccine, too! Ask your doctor about whether it’s right for you
- Use condoms; have safe, protected sex
- If you know or suspect you may have HPV, don’t spread it—practice safe sex, and make an appointment for a checkup with your doctor
Resources for More Information
National Institute of Health Cervical Cancer Information
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/cervicalcancer.html
National Cancer Institute
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/cervical
The NCCC Provides the Following Services:
- Phone/email pals for those needing to speak with someone who’s “been there.”
- Free materials that educate about HPV and cervical health, including cervical cancer.
- Tools for prevention, detection and screening awareness.
- Quilt project – Quilts that travel the country and help to place a personal face on the battle against cervical cancer.
- Hotline for women and family members battling issues related to cervical cancer and HPV disease: (800) 685-5531
Remember, if you are a Health Advocate member, you can call your Personal Health Advocate to receive more information about HPV vaccines and cervical cancer prevention, as well as receive help locating an in-network gynecologist or other doctor, scheduling an appointment, and more.
