Transcript What You Should Know About Cervical Cancer

What You Should Know
About Cervical Cancer:
Part one in a series of four updates on
women’s health screening protocols
Created by Megan Blomeyer, St. George’s University, MS-IV
Introduction
Over the years, there have been many
recommendations for the appropriate age and time
frame for screening. This series of presentations is
designed to update you on the most recent changes to
screening protocols so you can be in charge of your
health.
Although there are specific guidelines for each
examination, The American College of Obstetrics and
Gynecology recommends that the first visit to an
OB/GYN take place between the ages of 13 to 15 years
for the purposes of screening and guidance.
Pap Smears
In 2012, ACOG released new guidelines for cervical cancer screening.
Despite new recommendations to increase the amount of time between
Pap Smears, a yearly check up is still suggested.
Age
Recommendation
Younger than 21 years
No screening
21-29 years
Screening every 3 years
30-65 years
Screening every 3 years (acceptable)
or every 5 years with HPV testing**
(preferred)
Older than 65 years
No screening if adequate screening
prior to age 65 and not at a high risk
for cervical cancer**
After hysterectomy
No screening if hysterectomy with
removal of cervix or no history of high
grade (CIN 2 or 3) or cervical cancer
**Further information about cervical cancer risk factors and HPV follows.
Cervical Cancer Risk
Factors
Multiple sexual partners or a male sexual partner
who has had multiple sexual partners
First sexual intercourse before age 18
Family history of cervical cancer
Tobacco use
A personal history of cervical, vaginal or vulval
abnormalities
The Facts about HPV
HPV or Human Papilloma Virus has been proven to cause genital warts
and is associated with cervical cancer.
There are currently over 100 subtypes of HPV identified, but 70% of
cervical cancer is caused by types 16 and 18 and 90% of genital warts are
associated with types 6 and 11.
The FDA has approved two HPV vaccines which have shown similar
effectiveness in protection against HPV types 16 and 18. This vaccine is
recommended in females aged 9-26 and is administered in three doses
over a six month period. Current research is being conducted to
determine the effectiveness of the vaccine in females aged 26 years and
older.
Please note the HPV vaccine is not treatment for current infection with
HPV, if you feel you have contracted HPV, you should consult your
physician for further care.
Summary
In summary, a Pap Smear should be conducted
every three years beginning at age 21 years until
age 65 years to screen for cervical cancer.
The HPV vaccine should be given to all females
aged 9-26 years to reduce their risk of developing
cervical cancer.
Additional Information
Visit the American College of Obstetrics and
Gynecology, www.acog.org, or ask your doctor for more
information on cervical cancer screening
recommendations.
References
Committee on Adolescent Healthcare. Number 467. Human Papilloma
Vaccination. 2010 Sept. Web. 25 June 2013.
<http://www.acog.org/Resources%20And%20Publications/Committee%20Opin
ions/Committee%20on%20Adolescent%20Health%20Care/Human%20Papillo
mavirus%20Vaccination.aspx>.
The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Cancer of the Cervix:
Frequently Asked Questions. 2013 Feb. Web. 24 June 2013.
<http://www.acog.org/~/media/For%20Patients/faq163.pdf?dmc=1&ts=201306
21T1957557194>.
The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. New Cervical Cancer
Screening Recommendations from the U. S. Preventative Task Force and the
American Cancer Society/American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical
Pathology/American Society for Clinical Pathology. 14 March 2012. Web. 25
June 2013.
<http://www.acog.org/About%20ACOG/Announcements/New%20Cervical%20
Cancer%20Screening%20Recommendations.aspx>.