Cervical Health Awareness Month

January is Cervical Health Awareness Month

Each year, over 12,000 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer and nearly 99% of those cases will be caused by the virus HPV. Sadly, nearly 4,000 of these affected women will lose their life to the fight.

The good news is that cervical cancer is one of the most preventable and detectable cancers as long as the proper steps are taken. That’s why we are here!

What is HPV?

HPV is the most commonly transmitted sexual disease, and many people do not develop any symptoms. This makes it difficult to track and it easily spreads unknowingly. However, some strains of the virus can cause warts on the genitalia and the surrounding areas. There is currently no cure for the virus, but there is treatment for removal of the warts. However, this treatment does not mean you are protected from cervical and other cancers from the virus down the road. 90% of HPV cases will never result in cancer and will be resolved on their own, but it is important to remember that 70% of cervical cancer cases have come from two preventable types of HPV alone.

What can you do to prevent/detect HPV and Cervical Cancer?

·      Use of condoms with sexual activity is the best protection from contracting HPV.

·      You should receive a regular PAP smear, or PAP test, every 3 years if you are ages 21-29 and every 3-5 years from 30-65.

·      Testing for HPV is available and should be done after the age of 30 along with your pap smear or right away if you have an irregular PAP smear test result.

·      There is a vaccine available for HPV. It is a series of 2-3 injections that both boys and girls can receive between the ages of 9 and 26. It is recommended that the vaccine is scheduled around age 11 and it will prevent the most common forms of HPV. The vaccine is approved for use up to age 45.

·      Have a conversation with your doctor about birth control. Taking oral contraceptives for longer than 5 years at a time may increase your risk of developing cervical cancer if high risk HPV is present so know your alternative options.

How is Cervical Cancer detected?

Despite how lethal the cancer can be, if it is caught early, there is an exceptional survival rate of 91%. There are some warning signs that women should look out for as a precaution.

·      Bleeding between periods

·      Abnormal periods (usually heavier or longer)

·      Bleeding after intercourse

·      Pain during intercourse or urination

·      Pain in the pelvic area or lower back

·      Bleeding after you have been through menopause

As always, it is important to maintain healthy habits in your day-to-day routine. Be sure to ask your gynecologist about the risks you face at your next appointment, and preventable measures you can take today.