Cervical Cancer and HPV

April 2010

Learning Objectives

 Cervical cancer facts  HPV  HPV & cervical cancer  Risks  HPV vaccine

Sometimes there are things that may be hard to talk about…

But not talking about them is even harder

Cervical Cancer

 Cancer is a disease that starts when cells in one part of the body begin to grow out of control  Cervical cancer is the #2 cancer killer worldwide in women, but only the 11 th in Canada

Cervical Cancer Facts

 In 2009, 160 new cases of cervical cancer were expected in Alberta  40 deaths due to cervical cancer were expected in Alberta in 2009

More Cervical Cancer Facts

 Cervical cancer is almost entirely preventable with regular Pap tests  If cervical cell changes are found early and treated, they will not develop into cancer  Regular Pap tests have reduced the number of cervical cases and deaths by 1/3

Approximately 30% of eligible women in Alberta are not getting regular Pap tests

Cervical Cancer and First Nations

 Some Canadian research shows that: – Screening rates are lower for Aboriginal women – – Cervical cancer rates are higher for Aboriginal women than the general population in some provinces Cervical cancer mortality (death) rates are higher in First Nations women than the general population http://www.naho.ca/firstnations/english/documents/research/ FNC_CervicalCancerLiteratureReview.pdf

What is HPV?

 Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a

virus

 There are many types of HPV that can affect different parts of the body  About 45 types of HPV are spread by skin-to-skin

sexual contact

HPV

 HPV is very common  Over 70% of sexually active people will get HPV in their lifetime

HPV causes cervical cancer

 About 15 types of high risk HPV can cause cell changes on a woman's cervix if the HPV infection does not go away  If untreated these cell changes can develop into cervical cancer over many years  Some other types of low risk HPV can cause genital warts

HPV causes cervical cancer

 For most women their bodies fight off HPV and they DO NOT develop abnormal cells  A regular Pap test is the only way to find abnormal cells  If found early, abnormal cells can be followed-up closely  If needed, these abnormal cells can be treated so cervical cancer does not develop

How does someone get HPV?

 HPV spreads easily through skin-to-skin contact in the genital area (with a partner of either sex) – – – touching oral sexual activity intercourse  It can go undetected for many years  It is hard to know when someone was infected or who infected them

How do I know if I have HPV?

 Most often a woman doesn’t know 

HPV testing

(DNA test): – – Can determine type of HPV at time of testing Helps decide whether women with borderline cell changes should have more specialized tests – – – Not recommended for women younger than 30 Not currently used regularly in Alberta Talk to your healthcare provider for more information

Can HPV be treated?

 Most HPV infections will go away on their own within 2 years  The HPV infection itself can’t be treated to make it go away but, – abnormal cell changes can be treated to prevent cervical cancer – talk to your healthcare provider about treatment for genital warts

Risk Factors

 All women who have ever had sexual contact are at risk for developing cervical cancer  Women who have never had a Pap test or do not have Pap tests regularly are at the greatest risk of cervical cancer

What can women do to reduce their risk of HPV?

 Find out more about the HPV vaccine  Practice safer sex: – – – Limit the number of sexual partners Use condoms (they offer some protection against HPV) Start sexual activity later in life

What can women do to reduce their risk of developing cervical cancer?



Have Pap tests regularly starting at age 21

(or 3 years after becoming sexually active, whichever is later)  Follow-up on any abnormal Pap test results  Protect themselves from HPV (see previous slide)  Limit tobacco use & exposure to second hand smoke

HPV Vaccine

 GARDISIL ® HPV Vaccine protects against: – 2 types of high risk HPV (16 & 18) that cause about 70% of cervical cancer – 2 types of low risk HPV (6 & 11) that cause 90% of genital warts  The vaccine works best when given before a girls becomes sexually active

HPV Vaccine

 Alberta Health & Wellness offers a provincial HPV Immunization Program free of charge to: – – Grade 5 girls Grade 9 girls (until 2012)  For more information see: www.health.alberta.ca/health-info/imm-HPV.htm

l

HPV vaccine- do I still need Pap tests?



YES

, you still need Pap tests regularly even if you are vaccinated against HPV 

The HPV vaccine does not protect against all the types of HPV that cause cervical cancer

Remember

 HPV is common and most people don’t know they have it  Having Pap tests regularly: – Can find abnormal cell changes early – – Helps prevent most cervical cancer Is important even if you are vaccinated against HPV

Go for regular Pap tests!

Women, as the givers of life have a responsibility to the Creator, themselves, their family and the community to maintain their physical, spiritual, emotional and mental well-being

Questions?

For more information contact: Cancer Screening Programs Phone 1-866-727-3926 Web screeningforlife.ca