The importance of screening for cervical cancer

Cervical health is crucial to a woman’s overall well-being year-round, and Cervical Health Awareness Month in January helps highlight how routine screenings and vaccinations help protect women.

More than 14,000 women in the U.S. are diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer each year, according to the National Cervical Cancer Coalition. The National Cancer Institute estimates that 4,200 women died from the disease in 2021. The good news is that cervical cancer can be preventable with vaccination and the appropriate screenings.

What is Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer happens when cancer cells arise in the cervix, which connects the uterus to the vagina. The human papillomavirus (HPV) is almost always the cause of the disease.

HPV infections are common, and in most cases, the body can clear itself of the virus. However, the infection does not go away for everyone and can become chronic. Since there is currently no cure for HPV infections, vaccines are the best way to prevent infections and the possibility of developing cervical cancer.

Prevention is key

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that all preteens need HPV vaccination so they are protected from infections that could cause cancer later in life.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) currently has three vaccines approved to prevent infection with specific subtypes of HPV.

Vaccines can be given starting at age 9. The HPV vaccination is not recommended for everyone over the age of 26. Some adults ages 27 through 45 who have not already been vaccinated could choose to get the vaccine after speaking with their healthcare provider about the risks of new HPV infections and the possible benefits of the vaccine. HPV vaccination of adults provides fewer benefits since more people in this age range have already been exposed to HPV, however, can still be beneficial.

The number of cases of precancers of the cervix in young women has been reduced thanks to HPV vaccination. Fewer teens and young adults are getting genital warts due to the protection provided by the vaccines.

Overall, HPV infections and cervical precancers have dropped since HPV vaccines were first used in the U.S. in 2006. According to the CDC, infections with HPV types that cause most HPV cancers and genital warts have dropped 88% among teens girls and 81% among young adult women. For vaccinated women, the percentage of cervical precancers caused by the HPV types most often associated with cervical cancer has plummeted by 40%.

Over 15 years of monitoring have proven HPV vaccines safe and effective. Like all vaccines, scientists continue to monitor these vaccines to ensure they remain safe and effective.

The importance of regular Pap testing

Routine Pap tests are crucial in detecting HPV. Screenings can also see changes in cervical cells that suggest cancer could develop down the road. It is generally recommended that women ages 21 to 65 get a Pap test every three years.

Doctors typically recommend starting Pap testing at age 21. Women ages 30 and over may receive a Pap test every five years if the procedure is combined with testing for HPV. The following risk factors could lead your doctor to recommend more frequent testing:

• A diagnosis of cervical cancer or a Pap smear that showed precancerous cells

• Exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) before birth

• HIV infection

• Weakened immune system due to organ transplant, chemotherapy, or chronic corticosteroid use

• A history of smoking

Healthcare providers generally agree that women could choose to stop routine Pap testing at the age of 65 if previous screenings for cervical cancer have come back negative. Those that are sexually active with multiple partners could be encouraged by their physician to continue testing.

You and your doctor should discuss what is best for you and your health. To find a primary care provider near you, visit pardeehospital.org.

Dr. Pamela Della Valle is an obstetrics and gynecological physician with Pardee OB/GYN Associates. 

This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: Cervical cancer. Pap testing. HPV screenings. Early detection.