January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

By Nikki Walls, MSN, APRN, FNP-C

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common gynecological cancer in the world. Today, screening and prevention have greatly reduced the impact of cervical cancer, however according to the Centers for Disease Control, in 2020, the United States had 11,542 new cases of cervical cancer reported among women, and 4,272 women died of this cancer.

Cervical cancer is most common in women older than 30 years of age with almost 99% of cervical cancer cases being linked to high-risk Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a common virus transmitted through sexual contact. While most HPV infections resolve spontaneously, persistent infections can lead to cervical cancer.  When diagnosed, cervical cancer is one of the most successfully treatable forms of cancer as long as it is detected early and managed effectively and is associated with long survival and good quality of life.

The most important interventions a women can do to help prevent cervical cancer is to get vaccinated against HPV, have regular screenings with PAP smears and HPV tests and schedule recommended follow-ups with your primary care provider if your screening test results are abnormal.

Currently the guidelines for screening for cervical cancer begin at the age of 21 until age 65 and occur every 3-5 years depending on which testing is done. Screening after age 65 will depend on your screening and surgical history and can be a shared decision making agreement between you and your healthcare provider. The HPV vaccine protects against the types of HPV virus that most often causes cancers of the female organs.  The vaccination is recommended for all preteens aged 11 to 12 years but can be given as early as age 9. It is also recommended for everyone through age 26 years if they have not been vaccinated already. Adults ages 27-45 should discuss risk vs benefits of receiving the vaccination with their primary care provider. If vaccination is started before the age of 15, a two-dose schedule is recommended with the vaccination doses given 6 to 12 months apart. If the vaccine is initiated after the age of 15, the vaccine is given in a series of three shots. The vaccine helps to prevent new HPV infections but does not treat existing infections or diseases making it most important to receive the vaccine before any possible exposure to HPV.

As the New Year has started, we as healthcare providers, encourage you to schedule your annual wellness appointments to discuss all cancer screenings including breast, cervical, colon, prostate and lung cancer to ensure they are all up-to-date. We also encourage parents to consider the HPV immunization of their children to help prevent cancers related to the human papilloma virus.