YOU CAN HELP PREVENT CERVICAL CANCER

This month, we’re building awareness about cervical cancer. This cancer develops in the cells of the cervix, which is the lowest part of the uterus. Cervical cancer is the fourth-most common cancer in women worldwide, and the CDC reports nearly 300,000 women in the U.S. were living with the disease at the latest count in 2019. Hispanic women have the highest rates of occurrence, while Black/African American women have the highest rates of death from this cancer.

Fortunately, there are two key steps we can take to reduce our risk of developing cervical cancer: Get the vaccine that prevents it, and get screening tests that spot signs of potential cancer before it ever starts. Improving access to health care will make these steps possible for more women of all races and ethnicities.

Get vaccinated against the virus that causes cervical cancer.

Almost all cases of cervical cancer are caused by a common, sexually transmitted virus that infects about 85% of people during their lifetime. The virus is called human papillomavirus, or HPV. Today, we have a safe, well-tested vaccine that protects against strains of HPV that can cause cervical cancer and several other cancers.

The HPV vaccine works best before a person becomes sexually active, so doctors recommend that girls and boys receive it at ages 11 to 12, or even as early as age 9. However, if you missed the recommended doses of vaccine before your teen years, you can catch up through age 26. Those in the 27- to 45-year-old age range should talk to their doctor about whether HPV vaccination would benefit them.

The following 13-minute episode of Let’s Talk About It – a new educational video series from Simmons’ Office of Community Outreach, Engagement, and Equity – offers more details about the HPV vaccine and its ability to prevent cancer. Board-certified pediatrician Julia Durante, M.D., clears up some common misconceptions about the virus and the vaccine. We hope you’ll watch and share this information with your friends and family.

Get your recommended checkups and cervical cancer screening tests.

Routine checkups give you a chance to talk to your doctor about any unusual changes in your body that might signal disease. And regular visits allow your doctor to perform appropriate screening tests that help catch cervical cancer at the earliest possible stage. These tests include:

• A Pap test, or smear, to check for abnormal cervical cells that could turn into cancer if not treated
• An HPV test to check for an infection with high-risk HPV strains that can lead to cervical cancer 

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) – an independent panel of national experts in disease prevention and evidence-based medicine – recommends that individuals with a cervix who are 21 to 29 years old get screened with a Pap test every three years, even if vaccinated against HPV. And for those ages 30 to 65, screening can be done as follows:

• Every 3 years with a Pap test,
• Every 5 years with HPV testing, or
• Every 5 years with HPV testing in combination with a Pap test

People with certain risk factors for cervical cancer may need more frequent screenings.

To learn more about cervical cancer screening, including what to expect at your appointment, visit What Should I Know About Cervical Cancer Screening? | CDC. For more on cervical cancer symptoms, risk factors, and treatment, visit Cervical Cancer (utswmed.org).

For newsletter questions, comments, or suggestions, email Renee.Barber@UTSouthwestern.edu.