The cervix is not something many of us talk about freely, even with our closest friends, but it is important to speak out about cervical health. This part of female anatomy is essential to a woman’s overall health, and learning about prevention and early detection of cervical cancer saves lives. 

January is “Cervical Health Awareness Month,” and with awareness comes the power to ensure your health. Knowing the risk factors and symptoms, learning how to prevent the disease and options for treatment contribute to every woman’s wellbeing. 

The cervix is the gateway to the uterus. It protects the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries from invasive bacteria; however, by acting as the protector, the cervix itself becomes a potential reservoir for numerous infections, including the viruses that cause sexually transmitted diseases and cervical cancer.

Diane M. Harper, M.D., director of the Gynecologic Cancer Prevention Research Group at Dartmouth Medical School, explained that the major risk for cervical cancer is the human papillomavirus (HPV). This is a group of viruses in which certain strains cause genital warts, abnormal cervical cells called dysplasia, and invasive cervical cancer.

The infection is necessary, but not sufficient, for cervical cancer to occur. “Every cancer is preceded by HPV infection, but 75 percent to 90 percent of HPV infections resolve without causing any permanent cellular damage,” Harper said.

She recommends getting a regular Pap screening as the top preventive measure to avoid cervical cancer. If a woman is older than 35, Harper recommends getting both Pap and HPV testing. Pap screening is a test in which cells are scraped off the cervix and examined for abnormalities, detecting changes that might precede cervical cancer. Both Pap and HPV tests are valuable diagnostic tools.

Another important prevention measure for cervical cancer is avoiding the HPV infection by getting an HPV vaccine. The vaccine represents an important advance in cervical cancer prevention, but screening is part of the comprehensive strategy to prevent cervical cancer as well.

“Vaccines prevent 70 to 80 percent of the cervical cancers – so 15 to 30 percent of cancers can still develop without Pap screening to detect them early,” Harper said. “Likewise, Pap screening is not perfect and a small number of cervical cancers cannot be detected by Pap screening. Hence, both vaccination and screening are the best chance a woman has of being protected/early detection of any cancers.” 

If pre-cancer or cancer is present, treatment options vary depending on the stage and level of invasion. Cure rates are high if caught in the early stages via screening. Harper said, “Almost all pre-cancers can be treated at 100 percent cure rate. The early stage cancers have a high cure rate as well. The late stage cancers have about a 50 percent mortality.”

Because pre-cancers and early stage cancers have a high cure rate, it’s important to follow the recommendations for screening and treatment. Healthy choices also improve prevention and odds of survival.  Diet, lifestyle and attitude choices are powerful tools in preventing and fighting cancer.

Medical professionals recommend eating well, keeping physically fit, and practicing safe sex along with avoiding carcinogens like tobacco and low-nutrient junk foods, and avoiding unsafe cleaning and skin care products that are loaded with chemicals.

For more information visit the National Cancer Institue at www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/cervical or the National Cervical Cancer Coalition at www.nccc-online.org. PJH