CERVICAL CANCER Brought to you by netwellness.org Adapted from information provided by the University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center
What is cervical cancer? Cervical cancer is a disease in which harmful cancer cells form in the cervix. The cervix is the lower, narrow end of the uterus (the hollow, pear-shaped organ where a fetus grows). The cervix leads from the uterus to the vagina (birth canal). Cervical cancer usually develops slowly over time. Normal cells undergo changes. These changes begin to appear in the cervical tissue. Later, cancer cells start to grow and spread more deeply into the cervix and surrounding areas.
2013 Estimated Figures
12,340
new cases
4,030
deaths
If detected early and treated, survival rates for cervical cancer are over 90%
21 - 65 Pap smear is recommended for all women between 21-65 Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Incidence of invasive cancer has decreased
African American women have a higher incidence and death rate than white women
SYMPTOMS Early cervical cancers usually don’t cause symptoms however, when the cancer grows larger, women may notice:
• Vaginal discharge • Bleeding after sex • Bleeding between menstrual periods
• Heavy menstrual bleeding • Pelvic pain • Pain during sex
RISK FACTORS • (HPV) Human
Papillomavirus Infection
• Cigarette smoking • Multiple pregnancies • First pregnancy before age 18
• Family history • Low income • Birth control pills
TREATMENT Depends on the stage or how advanced the cancer is.
• Surgery • Radiation therapy • Chemotherapy Staging Cervical Cancer Cancer is staged on whether it is contained or localized or whether it extends to other body organs, in stages 0-4.
The exam Cervical cancer screening should begin three years after first vaginal intercourse or at age 21.
Pap Test/Pap Smear • Used to examine cells from the cervix • Purpose is to detect cervical cell changes that can be treated to prevent the cells from developing into cervical cancer • Most women with cell changes do not have cancer
Pelvic Exam • Uterus, vagina, ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder, and rectum are examined to identify any abnormality in size or shape
Pap smear: Cells are collected from the cervix and examined under a microscope to check for disease or other problems
Treatment and Tests Treatment for abnormal cells on the cervix There are a number of options for treating abnormal cells on the cervix. Some treatments destroy cells by heating them, other treatments destroy cells by freezing, shocking or completely removing them.
Tests for abnormal pap • Re-evaluate by repeating the pap test every 4–6 months • Take an HPV test • Undergo Colposcopy •
• An instrument used by the healthcare professional to magnify the surface of the cervix
• Abnormal areas are biopsied
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) • Sexually transmitted • Very common
WAYS TO REDUCE HPV TRANSMISSION • Do not engage in sexual
• Infections may clear without clinical consequence • HPV vaccine provides a way to increase the likelihood of preventing certain cancers
activity without protection
• Only have sexual activity within a mutually monogamous relationship with one uninfected partner
• Reduce the number of Progression from HPV to cancer is a slow process – it takes
10 to15 years.
Cervical cancer rarely occurs if women are screened regularly with Pap tests and undergo treatment if necessary
sexual partners you have
• See your doctor for pap tests every 3 years or as indicated by your doctor
• Use condoms • Get the HPV vaccine
Get Vaccinated. Males and females should get the vaccine between ages 11 and 12. It is best to get vaccinated early but you can still get the vaccine in adolescence and early adulthood. Young women can get vaccinated until age 26. Young men can get the HPV vaccine until age 21. Homosexual men and men with weak immune systems can be vaccinated until age 26. The vaccine is given as a series of three shots. It is only proven to be effective in women who are not yet infected or before a woman becomes sexually active.
“
HPV vaccines offer the best protection to girls and boys who receive all three vaccine doses and have time to develop an immune response before being sexually active with another person.” – CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION
Get Screened. • Have a Pap test once every 3 years or as
indicated by your physician • Be sure to keep follow-up appointments after
an abnormal Pap test result • A woman who has had her uterus removed
and cervix who has no history of cervical cancer should not be tested • A woman who has been vaccinated against HPV
should still follow the screening recommendations for her age group
WHAT AND WHEN
• Pap Test
– Start getting pap tests at 21 or after 3 years of being sexually active (whichever comes first)
• Pap/HPV Test
– Start receiving an HPV test in addition to a pap test after age 30. Women over age 65 who have had regular cervical cancer testing with normal results do not need to be tested for cervical cancer.
For more information on cervical cancer, go to netwellness.org Adapted from information provided by the University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center
