Cervical cancer affects more than 11,000 women in the U.S. each year. It is highly preventable with regular screenings and appropriate follow-up medical care. Also, vaccines are available that can help prevent cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer is almost always caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), a virus that affects about 1 in 4 people in the U.S. Because most people never develop noticeable symptoms, HPV infection often goes undetected and can be spread to others through intimate sexual contact. For some, it can lead to health problems such as genital warts and cancer.
Cervical cancer used to be the leading cause of cancer death for women in the U.S. However, the number of cases of and the number of deaths from cervical cancer have decreased significantly in the past several decades due, in large part, to more women getting regular pap tests that can find cervical pre-cancer before it turns into cancer.
Two tests can help prevent cervical cancer or find it early:
1) The Pap test (or Pap smear) looks for pre-cancers, which are cell changes on the cervix that might become cervical cancer if they are not treated appropriately;
2) The HPV test looks for the virus that can cause these cell changes.
Talk to your health care provider to find out if either test is right for you. Don’t have insurance? Our Women’s Health Clinic may be able to help.
You can also protect yourself or a loved one by learning more about the HPV vaccine. Vaccines are recommended for all preteen boys and girls. Learn more about HPV and the vaccine. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist about vaccinating your sons and daughters against HPV. The HPV vaccine is also available at the Knox County Health Department. Please call 865-215-5070 for more information.
