January is Cervical Health Awareness month and what a great time to focus on the prevention of cervical cancer. It is alarming the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) can cause cervical cancer; thankfully there is a vaccination that can help prevent that cancer.
There are approximately 150 types of HPV, about 40 affect the genital area.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that an astounding 14 million people will be infected with HPV in the next year alone. Most people won't even know they are infected with this common condition and most of the time the virus clears up in a couple of years.
Unfortunately, sometimes it persists and gets worse and, if left undiagnosed and untreated, certain types of HPV can lead to cervical cancer and other HPV cancers in both women and men.
The most recent statistics available from the CDC show that in 2009 there were approximately 34,788 new HPV-related cancers in the United States. It also shows that within the last four years, more than 12,000 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer and more than 4,000 women died from cervical cancer.
Three key points should be considered when dealing with the prevention of cervical cancer.
Firstly, is it is important to get the HPV vaccination series for girls and boys at the ages of 11-12, before any sexual activity, although some may get it earlier. If you don't get it at that time, later is still acceptable.
The CDC reminds us that these HPV vaccinations are Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved and are well-tolerated, effective and safe.
Condoms are also helpful in preventing this virus although not a perfect solution since skin-to-skin contact still occurs.
Secondly, cervical cancer screening for women starts at age 21. Be sure to visit your health care provider annually for a well-woman exam and find out what is the latest recommendation, for your age group, for this screening, which may be a Papanicolaou (PAP) smear, or a PAP smear and HPV test.
And lastly, it is important to follow up if you do have an abnormal pap. A positive PAP smear does not necessarily mean cervical cancer, which is a slow growing and largely preventable with proper preventative measures and follow up.
Parents and patients are encouraged to have a discussion with their health care provider about the HPV vaccination and PAP smear guidelines. Together, we can all be a part of cervical cancer prevention.
Currently, there are two Women's Health Nurse Practitioners located in the Family Medicine Clinic at USAHC-SB. Appointments can be scheduled by logging into Tricare Online (TOL) or by calling the appointment line at (808) 433-2778, Option 2.
To begin or continue with the HPV vaccination series, patients are encouraged to stop by the Immunization Clinic.
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