Cervical Cancer: The Preventable Cancer

Cervical Cancer: The Preventable Cancer

Cervical cancer is one oI the most preventable cancers, yet remains the world`s second-leading
cancer killer oI women. OI the 490,000 cases diagnosed every year, more than 280,000 will die.
As a survivor oI cervical
cancer I would like to educate you on how to protect yourselI Irom this cancer.
According to the National Cancer Institute inIection oI the cervix with human papillomavirus
(HPV) is the most common cause oI cervical cancer. HPV is a very common inIection that can
be spread Irom person to person through sexual contact. Past studies have shown that up to 75
percent oI people will be inIected at some point during their liIetime. In 2005, the Centers Ior
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that 20 million people in the United States had
the virus. To date over 100 diIIerent types oI HPV have been identiIied and some cause no
known harm. Several types are known to inIect the genital tract oI both women and men and,
like other sexually transmitted inIections (STIs); they are oIten present without signs or
symptoms.
UnIortunately this means someone can pass the virus on to others and not know it. Risk Iactors
Ior HPV inIection include: previous genital cancer, HIV inIection, multiple sex partners, or a
weakened immune system. A Iew types oI HPV cause genital warts which are easily treated and
not linked with cancer.
Some types oI HPV inIection have been linked to invasive cancer oI the cervix, vagina, vulva,
and anus, with cervical cancer being the most prominent. HPV causes the cells on or around
theses areas to become abnormal or precancerous. This process is called dysplasia. These
precancerous changes may, but not always, progress to cancer. In Iact, in many instances, the
abnormal cells and HPV will go away without treatment over the course oI months to years. The
obvious concern is to catch the abnormal cells that won`t go away beIore they progress to a
malignancy.
II the inIection is not discovered and treated early then abnormal cells can develop in the lining
oI the cervix. The cervix is the part oI the uterus that connects the upper part oI the uterus (the
womb) and the vagina. These abnormal cells can become precancerous and then possibly cancer.
This process can take a number oI years, but in rare cases it can happen within a year.
Precancerous changes and early cancers oI the cervix generally do not cause pain or other
symptoms. As the disease progresses, women may notice one or more oI the Iollowing
symptoms: abnormal bleeding, increased vaginal discharge, pelvic pain, and pain during sexual
intercourse.
Currently, women get PAP tests on a regular basis to identiIy abnormal cells on the cervix. II a
certain minimal level oI abnormality is seen, their doctor may order an HPV test. This test
checks Ior the high-risk types oI HPV inIection that have been linked to the development oI
cervical cancer, but not all types oI HPV. II the PAP test shows more signiIicant abnormalities a
procedure called colposcopy, or biopsies, is perIormed. Treatment oI the abnormal cells can
usually be easily accomplished in the oIIice or with an outpatient surgery.
II the cells are Iound to be cancer then there are several treatment options: Laser surgery using a
laser beam to destroy the abnormal cells, Cryosurgery which destroys the cancerous and pre-
cancerous cells by Ireezing them, the LEEP procedure which uses a then wire loop with an
electrical current to cut away an area oI abnormal cells Irom the cervix, Conization which
surgically removes a cone-shaped piece oI tissue Irom the cervix, radiation therapy using high
energy beams to destroy cancer cells, and chemotherapy using medication to disrupt the growth
oI the cancer cells. Sometimes treatment will include a combination oI these methods. The worst
case scenario would be a Hysterectomy. There are two types oI Hysterectomy`s: Simple is the
removal oI the cancer, cervix, and the uterus and Radical which involves the removal oI the
cervix, the uterus, part oI the vagina and the lymph nodes in the area.
In the United States 10,000 women will develop cervical cancer this year, resulting in 3,000
deaths. Cervical cancer tends to occur in women in their 40s and 50s, when many are still raising
children and contributing to their Iamilies` livelihoods and security. Women in low income and
minority communities are less likely to undergo recommended cervical cancer screening, which
could account Ior the greater risk Ior cervical cancer among these groups.
Maketheconnection.org notes that the highest incidence rates oI cervical cancer are among
AIrican-American and Hispanic women. AIrican-American women are twice as likely as
Caucasian women to die Irom cervical cancer.
Although there is no cure Ior HPV, precautions can limit your exposure as you would with any
other STI. In June 2006 the Food and Drug Administration approved a vaccine Ior HPV called
Gardasil. Gardasil was developed to cause an immune response in the body to prevent HPV
inIection. It is important to note that this vaccine is only eIIective against Iour oI the over 100
types oI HPV inIection. However these Iour types are responsible Ior up to 70 oI cervical
cancer, and up to 90 oI genital warts. This vaccine will not treat HPV once a person has been
inIected and is meant to be used as a prevention Ior the disease. According to MERCK & CO.,
Inc the maker oI the vaccine, it is administered as a series oI three vaccinations over a six-month
course. It is recommended Ior use in girls and women aged nine through 26 years oI age.
Currently it is not recommended in other age groups or males because they were not included in
the original vaccine studies.
HopeIully the HPV vaccine is the key to prevention oI all cervical cancer in the Iuture. II you
have any questions or concerns talk to your doctor Ior Iurther inIormation.
Works Cited
"cervical cancer." Encyclopdia Britannica. 2006. Encyclopdia Britannica Online. 26 Oct.
2006 .
Turkington, Carol, 'Cervical Cancer, The Enclyclopeida oI Cancer. New York Facts on File,
Inc., 2005.
Mathis, Ayana, 'The Ultimate STD prevention, Glamour, Nov 2004, Vol 104 Issue 11, p114-
114.
Vollmer, Sabine, 'Few pediatricians have Iirst cancer vaccine: HPV Cervical Cancer, News &
Observer, The, October 7, 2006.
'Cancer Reducing Risk Ior Cervical Cancer,
www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/basicinIo/reducingrisk.htm
'Cancer Cervical Cancer Statistics, www.cdc.gov.cancer/cervical/statistics/