Cervical Cancer Awareness Month: January
January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. In this post, we will be sharing some basic information about cervical cancer including risk factors, symptoms, and screening.
Basic Information About Cervical Cancer
Cancer is a disease in which cells in the body grow out of control. Cancer is always named for the part of the body where it starts, even if it spreads to other body parts later. When cancer starts in the cervix, it is called cervical cancer. The cervix connects the vagina (birth canal) to the upper part of the uterus. The uterus (or womb) is where a baby grows when a woman is pregnant.
Anyone with a cervix is at risk for cervical cancer. It occurs most often in people over age 30. Long-lasting infection with certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) is the main cause of cervical cancer. HPV is a common virus that is passed from one person to another during sex. At least half of sexually active people will have HPV at some point in their lives, but few women will get cervical cancer.
Screening tests and the HPV vaccine can help prevent cervical cancer. When cervical cancer is found early, it is highly treatable and associated with long survival and good quality of life.
What Are the Risk Factors for Cervical Cancer?
Almost all cervical cancers are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), a common virus that can be passed from one person to another during sex. There are many types of HPV. Some HPV types can cause changes on a woman’s cervix that can lead to cervical cancer over time, while other types can cause genital or skin warts.
HPV is so common that most people get it at some time in their lives. HPV usually causes no symptoms so you can’t tell that you have it. For most women, HPV will go away on its own; however, if it does not, there is a chance that over time it may cause cervical cancer.
Other things can increase your risk of cervical cancer—
- – Having HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) or another condition that makes it hard for your body to fight off health problems.
- – Tobacco smoking.
What Can I Do to Reduce My Risk of Cervical Cancer?
The most important things you can do to help prevent cervical cancer are to get vaccinated against HPV, have regular screening tests, and go back to the doctor if your screening test results are not normal.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine
The HPV vaccine protects against the types of HPV that most often cause cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers.
- – HPV vaccination is recommended for preteens aged 11 to 12 years, but can be given starting at age 9.
- – HPV vaccine also is recommended for everyone through age 26 years, if they are not vaccinated already.
- – HPV vaccination is not recommended for everyone older than age 26 years. However, some adults age 27 through 45 years who are not already vaccinated may decide to get the HPV vaccine after speaking with their doctor about their risk for new HPV infections and the possible benefits of vaccination. HPV vaccination in this age range provides less benefit, as more people have already been exposed to HPV.
If vaccination is started before age 15, a two-dose schedule is recommended, with the doses given 6 to 12 months apart. For people who start the series after their 15th birthday, the vaccine is given in a series of three shots.
HPV vaccination prevents new HPV infections, but does not treat existing infections or diseases. This is why the HPV vaccine works best when given before any exposure to HPV. You should get screened for cervical cancer regularly, even if you received an HPV vaccine.
Screening Tests
Two screening tests can help find changes that could become precancer or cervical cancer—
- – The Pap test (or Pap smear) looks for precancers, cell changes on the cervix that might become cervical cancer if they are not treated appropriately.
- – The HPV test looks for the virus (human papillomavirus) that can cause these cell changes.
Both tests can be done in a doctor’s office or clinic. If you have a low income or do not have health insurance, you may be able to get free or low-cost screening tests through CDC’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. Find out if you qualify.
More Steps to Help Prevent Cervical Cancer
These things may also help lower your risk for cervical cancer—
- – If you’re 26 or younger, get an HPV vaccine if you haven’t been vaccinated already.
- – Don’t smoke.
- – Use condoms during sex.*
*HPV infection can occur in both male and female genital areas that are covered or protected by a latex condom, as well as in areas that are not covered. While the effect of condoms in preventing HPV infection is unknown, condom use has been associated with a lower rate of cervical cancer.
What Are the Symptoms of Cervical Cancer?
Early on, cervical cancer may not cause signs and symptoms. Advanced cervical cancer may cause bleeding or discharge from the vagina that is not normal for you, such as bleeding after sex. If you have any of these signs, see your doctor. They may be caused by something other than cancer, but the only way to know is to see your doctor.
What Should I Know About Screening?
The HPV test and the Pap test can help prevent cervical cancer or find it early.
- – The HPV test looks for the virus (human papillomavirus) that can cause cell changes on the cervix.
- – The Pap test (or Pap smear) looks for precancers, cell changes on the cervix that might become cervical cancer if they are not treated appropriately.
Both tests can be done in a doctor’s office or clinic. During the Pap test, the doctor will use a plastic or metal instrument, called a speculum, to look inside your vagina. This helps the doctor examine the vagina and the cervix, and collect a few cells and mucus from the cervix and the area around it. The cells are sent to a laboratory.
- – If you are getting a Pap test, the cells will be checked to see if they look normal.
- – If you are getting an HPV test, the cells will be tested for HPV.
What is cervical precancer? When there are cervical cells that look abnormal but are not yet cancerous, it is called cervical precancer. These abnormal cells may be the first sign of cancer that develops years later. Cervical precancer usually doesn’t cause pain or other symptoms. It is found with a pelvic exam or a Pap test.
When to Get Screened
If You Are 21 to 29 Years Old
You should start getting Pap tests at age 21. If your Pap test result is normal, your doctor may tell you that you can wait three years until your next Pap test.
If You Are 30 to 65 Years Old
Talk to your doctor about which testing option is right for you—
- – An HPV test only. This is called primary HPV testing. If your result is normal, your doctor may tell you that you can wait five years until your next screening test.
- – An HPV test along with the Pap test. This is called co-testing. If both of your results are normal, your doctor may tell you that you can wait five years until your next screening test.
- – A Pap test only. If your result is normal, your doctor may tell you that you can wait three years until your next Pap test.
If You Are Older Than 65
Your doctor may tell you that you don’t need to be screened anymore if—
- – You have had normal screening test results for several years, and
- – You have not had a cervical precancer in the past, or
- – You have had your cervix removed as part of a total hysterectomy for non-cancerous conditions, like fibroids.
How to Prepare for Your Pap or HPV Test
No special preparation is needed before you have an HPV test.
If you are getting a Pap test, you can take steps to make sure the test results are accurate. Avoid intercourse, douching, and using vaginal medicines or spermicidal foam for 2 days before the test. If you had sex before the test, go to the appointment as planned and let the doctor know.
If you have your period, don’t worry. Both tests can still be done at this time.
Test Results
It can take as long as three weeks to receive your test results. If your test shows that something might not be normal, your doctor will contact you and figure out how best to follow up. There are many reasons why test results might not be normal. It usually does not mean you have cancer.
If your test results show cells that are not normal and may become cancer, your doctor will let you know if you need to be treated. In most cases, treatment prevents cervical cancer from developing. It is important to follow up with your doctor right away to learn more about your test results and receive any treatment that may be needed.
If your test results are normal, your chance of getting cervical cancer in the next few years is very low. Your doctor may tell you that you can wait several years for your next cervical cancer screening test. But you should still go to the doctor regularly for a checkup.
Visit the CDC website to learn more about what cervical screening test results mean.
How Is Cervical Cancer Diagnosed and Treated?
If your doctor says that you have cervical cancer, ask to be referred to a gynecologic oncologist—a doctor who has been trained to treat cancers of a woman’s reproductive system. This doctor will work with you to create a treatment plan.
The extent of disease is referred to as the stage. Information about the size of the cancer or how far it has spread is often used to determine the stage. Doctors use this information to plan treatment and to monitor progress.
Types of Treatment
Cervical cancer is treated in several ways. It depends on the kind of cervical cancer and how far it has spread. Treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
- – Surgery: Doctors remove cancer tissue in an operation.
- – Chemotherapy: Using special medicines to shrink or kill the cancer. The drugs can be pills you take or medicines given in your veins, or sometimes both.
- – Radiation: Using high-energy rays (similar to X-rays) to kill the cancer.
Different treatments may be provided by different doctors on your medical team.
- – Gynecologic oncologists are doctors who have been trained to treat cancers of a woman’s reproductive system.
- – Surgeons are doctors who perform operations.
- – Medical oncologists are doctors who treat cancer with medicine.
- – Radiation oncologists are doctors who treat cancer with radiation.
For more information, visit the National Cancer Institute’s Cervical Cancer Treatment.
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials use new treatment options to see if they are safe and effective. If you have cancer, you may want to take part. Visit the sites listed below for more information.
- – NIH Clinical Research Trials and You (National Institutes of Health)
- – Learn About Clinical Trials (National Cancer Institute)
- – Search for Clinical Trials (National Cancer Institute)
- – ClinicalTrials.gov (National Institutes of Health)
Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Complementary and alternative medicine are medicines and health practices that are not standard cancer treatments. While complementary medicine is used in addition to standard treatments, alternative medicine is used instead of standard treatments. Meditation, yoga, and supplements like vitamins and herbs are some examples.
Many kinds of complementary and alternative medicine have not been tested scientifically and may not be safe. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits before you start any kind of complementary or alternative medicine.
Which Treatment Is Right for Me?
Choosing the treatment that is right for you may be hard. Talk to your cancer doctor about the treatment options available for your type and stage of cancer. Your doctor can explain the risks and benefits of each treatment and their side effects. Side effects are how your body reacts to drugs or other treatments.
Sometimes people get an opinion from more than one cancer doctor. This is called a “second opinion.” Getting a second opinion may help you choose the treatment that is right for you.
Source: CDC. Disclaimer: Reference to specific commercial products, manufacturers, companies, or trademarks does not constitute its endorsement or recommendation by the U.S. Government, Department of Health and Human Services, or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Learn More
To learn more about other national health observances for medical conditions, and for additional information on screening recommendations and health and wellness topics, visit our blog. You can find articles such as these:
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