4 Vital Facts About Cervical Cancer
It's one of the most preventable women's cancers. Here's how to stay safe.
Cervical cancer recently took the spotlight when the FDA approved a "cervical cancer vaccine" called Gardasil, which protects against the human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection that causes the majority of cervical cancer cases. The vaccine is recommended for girls and women ages 9 through 26. But that doesnt mean 30- and 40-somethings arent at risk for cervical cancer: Some 80 percent of all women have already contracted HPV. Whether or not youre one of them, heres what you must know.
1. The virus that causes cervical cancer is symptom-free.
Cervical cancer usually develops slowly after a longstanding infection with HPV, which is transmitted sexuallyvia either intercourse, oral sex, or skin-to-skin contact. Even condoms dont provide 100 percent protection. There are more than 100 strains of HPV, but only about 14 or so of them can cause cancer, and these strains produce no symptoms at first, so you wont know if you have an infection. The remaining strains of HPV may cause genital or nongenital warts but wont lead to cancer.
"Most of the time, the bodys immune system eliminates the virus on its own," says Debbie Saslow, Ph.D., director of breast and gynecological cancer for the American Cancer Society.
But around age 30 and older, an infection is more likely to persist, though experts arent sure why. And the longer an HPV infection lingers, the greater the risk it will cause cell changes in the cervix that may lead to cancer.
2. You may benefit from the vaccine.
Gardasil guards against four strains of HPV -- the two that cause 70 percent of all cervical cancer cases, as well as the two strains that cause 90 percent of genital warts. Its most effective when its given prior to the onset of sexual activity -- before exposure to any of the four types -- which is why its FDA-approved for girls and young women. Some gynecologists are giving it to patients in their 30s or even 40s, but experts say its unlikely to help them.
"By the time a woman is in her 20s, shes probably already been exposed to the cancer-causing strains of the virus," says Saslow. (Once youre infected with one strain of HPV, your body builds up immunity, so its unlikely youll get re-infected with that same strain.) Talk to your gynecologist about whether you might benefit from the shot -- for instance, if youve had sex with only one guy and are reentering the dating pool. If your doctor offers Gardasil and you can afford it (insurance wont cover the approximate $360 cost if youre over 26), some experts say it cant hurt to get it to be extra safe.
3. Regular Pap tests are still your best protection.
"Half the women who will die this year of cervical cancer will not have had a Pap test in five or more years," says Donnica Moore, M.D., physician spokesperson for "Make the Commitment," an HPV and cervical cancer prevention campaign.
But if you have a Pap and its abnormal, dont panic: It may be due to more minor concerns such as inflammation or a bacterial infection. If your doctor rules out these culprits, he may run an HPV test using cervical cells collected during your Pap. If you test positive for HPV, your doc may recommend a colposcopy, a test that examines the cervix for signs of cancer. Precancerous tissue can be removed using laser surgery, freezing, or electrical currents during an office or surgery-center visit. A negative result often means you may be able to wait three years before repeating the HPV test.
4. Cervical cancer is rarely deadly in this country.
When cervical cancer is caught early, the five-year survival rate is around 92 percent, and the risk of recurrence after five years is low. Tell your doctor if you experience any of cervical cancers symptoms, which include spotting (even a couple of drops) after sex, between periods, or after menopause -- or if you haveabnormal vaginal discharge, or pain in the pelvic region.
Says Saslow: "If we understand cervical cancer risk factors and get the vaccinations and screenings we need, we can eliminate deaths from this disease in the U.S. in our lifetime.
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