Cervical Cancer: Preventable Killer

Each year, over 12,000 American women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer. Compared to other states in the US, New Jersey had the seventh highest rate of new diagnoses, with a rate of 9.2 new cases diagnosed per 100,000 women, while the rate in the U.S. was 7.9 per 100,000 women in 2007.

At one time, cervical cancer was considered one of the most deadly cancers for women. Thanks to effective screening, most cases of cervical cancer can be cured.  The most common screening tool for cervical cancer, the Pap smear, detects both cancerous and precancerous cells.  Since the 1950s, when the use of this method of early detection became widespread, the number of deaths from cervical cancer has fallen dramatically. 

The most significant risk factor for cervical cancer is infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is a virus that can be transmitted during unprotected sex.  This commonly occurring virus will infect more than two-thirds of sexually active women in their lifetime.  Although over 90 percent of cervical cancers are believed to be caused by HPV, not all HPV infections lead to cervical cancers; most are cleared by the immune system.  But in some cases, HPV can lead to cancerous changes in the cells of the cervix.  Cervical cancer develops slowly and begins with dysplasia, or precancerous changes to the cells.  These changes can be detected by a Pap smear and are 100% treatable. 

In addition to HPV infection, there are risk factors that increase the odds of cervical cancer.  These include smoking, having a weakened immune system, prolonged use of birth control pills, and having more than three children. 

Cervical cancer, especially in its earliest stages, often causes no symptoms, which makes access to and utilization of women’s health care and to the recommended screening tools so important.  The two most important screening tests include:

• The Pap smear, which takes a sample of cells to look for any precancerous or cancerous changes.  The Pap smear is recommended for women aged 21 and older. 
• The HPV test identifies the presence of the human papilloma virus.  This blood test is recommended for women over the age of 30.

There are also ways to help prevent cervical cancer.  Two vaccines (Gardasil® and Cervarix®) have been approved for use in the U.S. to help protect against the two types of HPV that cause most cervical cancer.   The CDC recommends that the vaccine be given to females aged 11 to 26.  It is important to continue getting Pap smears, since not all HPV types are included in the vaccine.  Additionally, not smoking, using condoms during sex and limiting the number of sexual partners are ways to lower your risk of cervical cancer.   

For additional information regarding screening and prevention of cervical cancer, please visit http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/basic_info/prevention.htm