Cervical cancer, a type of cancer that occurs in the lower part of the uterus, will be diagnosed in more than 11,000 women in the United States this year, according to the American Cancer Society; 3,670 women will die from it. In addition, Hispanic and African American women are more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with cervical cancer as non-Hispanic white women.
While cases of cervical cancer have declined since the introduction of the Pap test, it is still a disease that women should be tested for regularly. Caught early, it is treatable, but as the cancer progresses, it becomes harder and harder to treat, making timely check-ups important.
The cervix, located in the lowermost portion of the uterus, connects the womb to the birth canal. It is possible for cancer to develop in the lining of the cervix, but fortunately, the cells undergo testable precancer changes that allow doctors to treat the potentially cancerous tissue. Some women will have precancer cells in their cervix for several years, and some will disappear on their own. If the disease is caught in this stage, it can almost certainly be prevented from progressing.
In the event that cancer does develop, it can take one of two main forms. The first is squamous cell carcinoma, which makes up about 85 percent of cervical cancer cases, and is found in the squamous, or flat, thin cells in the cervix. Most of the rest of the cases are adenocarcinomas, which develop in the mucus-producing glands in the cervix, and are becoming more common in 20- to 30-year-olds.
There are several factors that may increase the likelihood of cervical cancer. They include onset of sexual activity at an early age, history of multiple sexual partners, sex with a partner who has had multiple sexual partners and sex with an uncircumcised partner. Practicing safe sex is recommended, but will not prevent all cases of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, the most common cause of cervical cancer. While having a risk factor may make you more likely to develop cervical cancer, it does not guarantee it. Regardless, it is important to be aware of the risks and do what you can to avoid as many as possible.
There are several other risk factors. Smoking and poor diet can contribute to the chances of developing cervical cancer, as well as HIV and Chlamydia. There is also some research that suggests taking oral contraceptives on a long-term basis increases the risk for cancer in the cervix. For reasons unknown, multiple pregnancy also increases risk. Your chances are also increased two to three times if there is a history of cervical cancer in your family.
Among the common risk factors, HPV is the most serious, with doctors believing that a woman must be infected with HPV to develop cervical cancer. There are more than 100 virus types that fall under the HPV category. Some are “low-risk” and cause warts, while some “high-risk” strains — HPV 16 and 18 — cause two-thirds of the cases of cervical cancer.
HPV may be present for several years before symptoms appear, making regular Pap tests an important precaution. The FDA has recently approved an HPV vaccination that protects against HPV 16, 18, 6, and 11.
Early symptoms of cervical cancer are abnormal vaginal bleeding, pain during intercourse, and bleeding following intercourse or pelvic exam. While these symptoms are common with cervical cancer, they are not exclusive to cervical cancer. Should these symptoms be present, a Pap test is the first step.
Preferably though, regular Pap tests are advisable, since precancerous cells in the cervix or the early stages of the disease may not cause symptoms.
Precancer cells may be able to be treated by your primary care physician, but cervical cancer will require the treatment of a specialist. Treatment will depend on the stage of the disease at the time of diagnosis, and will include surgical and chemotherapeutic options.
Because of the serious nature of cervical cancer, it is important to take the necessary steps to prevent its development. As previously mentioned, one of the potential preventive options is a HPV vaccine such as Gardasil. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts covers the Gardasil vaccine for members with health plans with coverage for vaccines. You should talk with your doctor about the benefits of taking such precautions.
In addition to this, regular Pap tests are also an important preventative measure. Talk with your doctor about scheduling one and be sure to ask any questions you may have about cervical cancer and what you can do prevent it. Most health insurance plans will cover these preventive screenings, as well as the different treatment options for cervical cancer. Contact your insurance carrier if you have any questions about your coverage.
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