FORT LEE, Va. (Jan. 21, 2016) -- January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, and the medical home team at Kenner Army Health Clinic wants to raise awareness of the changes to recommended cervical cancer screening.
The cervix is part of a women's reproductive system. It is located on the lower part of the uterus (womb) where it opens into the birth canal. Cervical cancer has no early signs or symptoms. Signs usually appear when the cancer has spread in the body.
The American Cancer Society provided the following statistics about cervical cancer cases in the United States in 2015:
About 12,900 new cases of invasive cervical cancer were diagnosed.
About 4,100 women died from cervical cancer.
Cervical pre-cancers are diagnosed far more often than invasive cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer was once one of the most common causes of cancer death for American women. Over the last 30 years, the death rate has gone down by more than 50 percent. The main reason for this change has been the increased use of the Pap test. This screening procedure can find changes in the cervix before cancer develops. It also can find cervical cancer early − in its most curable stage. There is more to be done to lower the cervical cancer death rate. The key is to prevent cervical cancer from occurring. Can cervical cancer be prevented? The answer is yes. It can be prevented and the most reliable prevention tool is early vaccination.
The human papilloma virus, or HPV, is known to contribute to development of this cancer in some women. A vaccine is available against HPV, so cervical cancer has become the most preventable female cancer in the United States.
Vaccination against HPV requires a three-shot series given over six months. The HPV vaccine protects against the types of HPV that cause the majority of cervical cancer and genital warts. It is recommended all females and males between the ages of nine and 26 years old be vaccinated as HPV is sexually transmitted. Vaccination of both males and females helps to protect the entire population against HPV.
KAHC offers Pap and HPV co-testing, HPV vaccination (also in the Pediatric Clinic), management of abnormal Pap smears, breast exams, mammography, pre-pregnancy health counseling, menopause management, STD testing/treatment, as well as acute and some chronic gynecologic care for teenage to post-menopausal women.
For years, women have been told to start Pap smear testing within three years of becoming sexually active or by 18 years old. After years of research, ASCCP and ACOG have determined it's best for women to start testing at age 21, no matter when sexual activity started.
The change in the recommended age to begin routine screening is due to the fact it can take several years for the changes in the cervix cells to develop after infection with HPV, and oftentimes the immune system of very young women can clear the body of HPV.
Women with certain risk factors may need more frequent testing; the results of Pap and HPV screenings are used to determine the need for additional evaluation. Women who have had a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) should discuss their need for pap smear testing with their health care provider. As a general rule, Pap testing can stop at age 65 for most women, but consult your health care provider if unsure.
The Kenner medical home team recommends an annual "well woman" visit for all adult women to address gynecological needs or concerns. Pediatric patients can discuss HPV Vaccinations during their next visit.
To schedule your a women's health visit, or pediatric appointment, call 866-645-4584 or use TRICARE Online.
Many people think the HPV vaccine only protects girls, but this vaccine protects boys against certain HPV-related cancers, too. Check out why by visiting http://www.cdc.gov/features/hpvvaccineboys/index.html
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