Each year in the U.S., about 14,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer, and around 4,300 lose their lives to it, according to the American Cancer Society. Those numbers may sound grim, but there is some good news: Cervical cancer is also highly preventable and treatable, too — as long as it’s caught early.
At Desert Star Institute for Family Planning, DeShawn Taylor, MD, MSc, FACOG, and her team are committed to providing women with the tools and knowledge they need to take control of their health. In this post, learn six cervical cancer facts that can help you play a proactive role in preventing cervical cancer and improving your overall wellness, too.
Like many cancers, cervical cancer typically causes no symptoms in its earliest stages. Instead, symptoms typically only become noticeable once the disease has progressed to a more advanced stage. Once symptoms do occur, they can include vaginal bleeding between periods, bleeding after sex, or pain and pressure in the lower abdomen.
Most cases of cervical cancer can be traced back to the human papillomavirus (HPV), a very common group of more than 200 viruses. Only certain strains are linked to cervical cancer, while others can cause warts or other conditions.
HPV is so common that most people will become infected at some point through sexual activity — but in most cases, your body’s immune system clears the infection without side effects. However, some strains of the virus can remain in your body, increasing your risk of cervical cancer (and other cancers, too).
Because HPV is almost always spread through sexual contact, practicing safe sex is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of becoming infected with the strains associated with cervical cancer. Using condoms or dental dams can lower the chances of contracting HPV — but they still can't eliminate that risk.
It’s also important to limit the number of sexual partners and avoid sex with someone who has visible genital warts. Don’t have sex after drinking or using drugs, either, since these activities could lead to taking risks you’d normally avoid.
Pap testing is one of the primary reasons why cervical cancer rates have declined in recent decades. Today, both Pap smears and HPV testing help identify the virus, and Pap smears can also detect abnormal cell changes associated with cervical cancer — even in its early stages.
Both tests are quick and painless, and the information they provide is so important that the CDC recommends regular Pap smears for every woman beginning at age 21. At age 30, you and Dr. Taylor can discuss whether a Pap smear or HPV testing is more appropriate for your needs.
The HPV vaccine is designed to target the strains of the virus that are most likely to lead to cervical cancer, making it an essential part of your cancer prevention regimen. While it doesn't cover every type of HPV, it greatly reduces your chances of developing the infection — and, in turn, your risk of developing cancer, as well.
The CDC recommends every preteen — boys and girls — get vaccinated at 11 or 12 years of age, ideally before becoming sexually active. Women can still be vaccinated up to the age of 26 if they weren't vaccinated earlier. If you're between 27 and 45, Dr. Taylor can help you determine if vaccination is a good option for you.
Finally, while preventing cancer is ideal, it’s also important to know that cervical cancer is highly treatable, especially when caught early. Having regular testing is the best way to “catch” cervical cancer in those early stages, and those regular exams also provide a great opportunity to discuss prevention strategies, too.
Annual well-woman visits and cancer screenings play a major role in protecting your long-term health. To schedule your Pap test or HPV vaccine, request an appointment online or over the phone with Dr. Taylor and the team at Desert Star Family Planning in Phoenix, Arizona, today.
