Protect Yourself from Cervical Cancer
By the National Cancer Institute
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Cervical cancer is in many ways unlike other
cancers. It strikes women in midlife when they are often taking care of
families. Cervical cancer is also one of the few types of cancers that is caused
by a virus.
Fortunately, cervical cancer is one of the most
preventable cancers and also, when caught and treated early, one of the most
curable cancers. Now is the perfect time to educate yourself about this disease
and what you can do to protect yourself.
Every year in the United States, more than 11,000
women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 4,000 women die from the disease.
More African American women die from cervical cancer than any other racial group
in the United States. It is time to stand up to this disease and change these
statistics. It is especially important for African American women to learn how
to prevent this disease.
One of the most important steps in preventing
cervical cancer is to have regular Pap tests. The Papanicolaou test (sometimes
called Pap smear or cervical smear) is used to find cell changes in the cervix
that can be treated before they turn into cervical cancer. A Pap test also can
find cancer early. The earlier that cervical cancer is found, the easier it is
to treat. A Pap test is usually painless and is easily done in a doctor's office
or clinic during a pelvic exam.
A test for human papillomavirus (HPV), the virus
that causes cervical cancer, is also available. The HPV test can be useful for
screening for cervical cancer in women age 30 and older when done together with
a Pap test. It can also be used for women of all ages who have certain abnormal
Pap test results. There are over 100 types of HPV, more than 30 of which can
spread through genital contact. Some sexually transmitted HPV types cause
genital warts, and others cause cervical cancer. The HPV test examines cervical
cells for the types of HPV that cause cancer.
Genital HPV infections are very common and are
sexually transmitted. Many people who have an HPV infection may not be aware of
it. Most HPV infections occur without any symptoms or problems and go away on
their own without leading to cancer. Some infections can persist for many years
and may or may not cause cell changes. Infections that cause cell changes can
increase the risk for developing cervical cancer.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved
two vaccines, Gardasil® and Cervarix®, to prevent infection with the types of
HPV that cause most cases of cervical cancer. Gardasil also protects against
infection with the HPV types that cause most genital warts. Both vaccines are
most effective if they are given before an individual is sexually active.
Gardasil is approved for use in females and males ages 9 through 26, and
Cervarix is approved for use in females ages 10 through 25. The Advisory
Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention recommends routine HPV vaccination of females aged 11 or 12 years
with three doses of HPV vaccine (vaccination can begin at age 9). HPV
vaccination is also recommended for females aged 13 through 26 years who have
not been previously vaccinated or who have not completed the full vaccination
series. It is important to talk to your doctor or health care provider to
determine if the vaccine is right for you or a loved one. Learn more about the HPV vaccine.
Due to routine screening, cervical cancer incidence
and mortality rates in the United States have declined greatly over the last few
decades. You too can protect yourself from this devastating disease. The
National Cancer Institute is available to help by offering the latest news and
information about cervical and other cancers. To learn more, call 1-800-4-CANCER
to speak with a Cancer Information Specialist. If you prefer to search the
Internet, visit the primary Spanish language Web site of the NCI,
www.cancer.gov/espanol. Our site links you to a wide variety of cancer education
and awareness materials, from publications to updates about research. Now is the
time to take action and live a healthier life!
NCI leads the National Cancer Program and the NIH
effort to dramatically reduce the burden of cancer and improve the lives of
cancer patients and their families, through research into prevention and cancer
biology, the development of new interventions, and the training and mentoring of
new researchers. For more information about cancer, please visit the NCI Web
site at http://www.cancer.gov or call NCI's Cancer Information Service at
1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237).
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