Major Strides Made in Battle Against Cervical Cancer

It’s not very often that cancer and good news are used in the same sentence. When it comes to cervical cancer, however, there’s reason to take pause and celebrate just a little. Thanks to some major advancements in the past few decades, the cervical cancer incidence rate has declined by 50 percent. That doesn’t mean there isn’t more work to be done. With an estimated 13,000 new cases still diagnosed annually in the United States and an estimated 4,000 deaths, the disease is far from eradicated.

A number of recent developments have increased hope that someday soon this form of cancer may be stomped out entirely or close to it. Routine screening for this disease over the past 30 years gets much of the credit for the drop in incidence rates. Thanks to cytology screens – standard pap smears – this form of cancer is often detected and investigated before it really has a chance to take hold. Since cervical cancer is almost always caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) a more recent breakthrough may help bring the numbers down even more. Through the use of HPV vaccinations, some doctors believe this form of cancer may be eradicated eventually, or close to it.

HPV vaccinations are now recommended for all boys and girls starting around the age of 11. The idea is to administer the three-shot series long before sexual activity begins since HPV is often associated with sexual transmission. The vaccine is effective in preventing the form of HPV that causes cervical cancer. It may also help prevent oral cancers and other medical concerns.

Considering the strong connection between HPV and cervical cancer, screening recommendations for the disease are also beginning to change. Some are recommending primary HPV screening over cytology for women age 25 or older, which might be good news for women who dream routine pap smears. At present, it is recommended that women age 21 to 65 undergo pap smears at least once every three years. The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force recommends screening with a combination of cytology and HPV testing at least every five years for women age 30 to 65.

Cervical cancer has been beaten back over the past three decades, but it is far from gone. Women who want to learn more about their risks or screenings that may be required should speak to their healthcare providers. Parents of children age 11 and up are also urged to speak to their pediatricians about HPV vaccinations. This relatively new tool may someday help eradicate cervical cancer or at least diminish its numbers even further, which would be news worth celebrating.

a href=http://northtexascancercenteratwise.com/about-usNorth Texas Cancer Center at Wise, a division of Choice Cancer Care, is now operating as the Cancer Center at Wise Regional and is one of the most renowned cancer treatment centers in Texas