Thanks to the widespread screening, the incidence of cervical cancer has declined significantly. Precancerous lesions can be detected and eliminated before the become malignant. In 2010, approximately 12,200 patients are estimated to be diagnosed with cervical cancer in the United States. An estimated 4,210 will die from this disease.
Screening tests include conventional Pap smear or PAP liquid, with or without evidence of DNA for HPV (human papilloma virus). The current recommendations of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists for women in normal risk are as follows:
1) Pap smear to start at age 21
(2)< 30="" years="" of="" age:="" every="" 2="" years="">
(3) > 30 years of age: every 3 years
(4) Stop the slide show at the age of 65-70, after 3 normal tests during the past 10 years.
Screening is more common for women at high risk. Conditions of high risk include previous cervical cancer, exposure to DES (diethylstilbestrol) as a fetus and conditions immunosuppressed (by Transplant organ, chemotherapy, steroids, or HIV drugs). Please note that the previous screening recommendations apply to patients "asymptomatic". If you believe that you have new symptoms, such as pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding, unusual heavy download, during urination, etc., talk to your doctor.
With the recent development of vaccine, cervical cancer is now also a potentially preventable disease. The American Cancer Society recommends HPV vaccination for girls from 11 up to 18 years. It is not clear yet if the vaccination for the 19-26 age range is beneficial or not. The vaccine Gardasil prevents four strains of HPV infection. Strains 16 and 18 cause 70% of cervical cancers and strains 6 and 11 cause 90% of genital warts cases. The Cervarix vaccine protects against strains of the HPV 16 and 18. Neither vaccine offers prevention absolute of all types of HPV in cervical cancer. Therefore women vaccinated still need to see your provider of health care of routine cervical cancer. It should be noted that recently the FDA also approved the use of the HPV vaccine for boys and men ages 9-26 for the prevention of genital warts.
Dr. Mai Brooks is a surgeon oncologist surgical/general, with experience in the early detection and prevention of cancer. More information on http://www.drbrooksmd.com/ and http://progressreportoncancer.wordpress.com/.
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