What Every Woman Should Know about Cervical Cancer
and the Human Papilloma Virus
What is Cervical Cancer?
Cervical Cancer is a cancer that forms in the tissues of the cervix (the organ connecting the uterus and the vigina). It is usually a slow-growing cancer that may not have symptoms but can be found with a regular Pap test (a procedure in which cells are scraped from the cervix and looked at under a microscope). Changes in the cervix are often caused by a virus called human papilloma virus (HPV). HPV infections can lead to cervix cancer.
HPV – Who Gets It?
Human papillomavirus (HPV) affects both females and males. HPV transmission can happen with any kind of genital contact with someone who has HPV—intercourse isn’t necessary.
Many people who have HPV don’t even know it, because the virus often has no signs or symptoms. That means you can get the virus or pass it on to your partner without knowing it.
In the United States, an estimated 75% to 80% of males and females will be infected with HPV in their lifetime. For most, the virus will clear on its own, but when it doesn’t, HPV can have consequences. There is no way to predict who will or won’t clear the virus.
There are about 6 million new cases of genital HPV in the United States each year. It’s estimated that 74% of them occur in 15- to 24-year-olds.
How Can I Prevent Cervical Cancer?
A simple test can help prevent cervical cancer. It is called the Pap Test (or Pap Smear). The Pap test is a simple and routine way to find cell changes. During a Pap test the doctor or nurse will collect a few cells from your cervix to send to a medical lab for testing. You can get the Pap test at your doctor's office, clinic, or community health center.
Why should I have a Pap test?
Sometimes cells in a woman's cervix begin to change and look abnormal. These abnormal cells may not be cancer yet. But if you don't have the cell changes treated, the changes may become cancer. Having Pap tests regularly gives you the best chance of finding cell changes or cervical cancer early, when they are easy to treat.
The Pap test checks for cell changes caused by HPV that could become cancer. The Pap test does not detect many sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Talk with your doctor or nurse about whether you should be tested for STDs.
When should I have a Pap test?
· Have your first Pap test about 3 years after the first time you have sex, or when you reach age 21 (whichever comes first).
· Keep getting Pap tests every 1 to 3 years. If you are 30 or older.
· The most importantmessage for women is to have regular Pap test to prevent cancer of the cervix from ever occurring.
For more information check www.cancer.gov.
VAGINAL CANCER
There are several types of vaginal cancer, but most types are commonly found in the lining of the upper area of the vagina near the cervix.
Certain types of HPV have been closely linked to vaginal cancers. In fact, HPV Types 16 and 18 cause approximately 70% of vaginal cancer cases.
VULVAR CANCER
Vulvar cancer is a type of cancer that forms just outside the vagina in an area called the vulva. HPV Types 16 and 18 cause up to 50% of vulvar cancer cases.
