Screenings, vaccines important for early diagnosis and prevention of Cervical Cancer

Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, observed from January 22nd to January 28th, is a time to focus on and educate the public about cervical cancer, prevention, and the importance of regular screenings. Cervical cancer itself is a disease that occurs when abnormal cells located inside of the cervix — the narrow end of the uterus — begin to grow uncontrollably and form a tumor.

Jessica Parker, MD, assistant professor of clinical obstetrics and gynecology at the Indiana University School of Medicine, when it comes to improving health outcomes related to cervical cancer, early diagnosis and prevention are key because people with cervical cancer often don’t notice symptoms until the disease progresses.

"However, according to the National Cancer Institute, the 5-year relative survival rate is 91% when caught early. That’s why getting regular pelvic exams is so important," Parker said.

“If someone is getting regular exams with a gynecologist, it is much less likely that something will be missed,” Parker said.

Pelvic exams, typically performed on women 21 and older, are physical exams of the female reproductive and urinary organs. During these exams, doctors can check for tumors or lesions on the cervix, which would then be biopsied to provide a further diagnosis.

“If nothing was seen and the patient had not had a pap smear that was up to date, this would be a good screening tool that might make us assess the cervix further” Parker said.

If a tumor or lesion is found, the next step would be to identify the “stage” of the cancer and whether it has spread elsewhere in the body to determine the best treatment options.

But, Parker said, there’s something even better than early diagnosis: prevention. Cervical cancer is one of only a few cancers that can be prevented by getting vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV), which is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections and can lead to certain types of cancers, including cervical cancer, anal cancer and oral cancer.

The HPV vaccine is administered in people starting as early as age 9 until the age of 45. It is given in two or three doses depending on the person’s age.

“Over 95% of cervical cancers are HPV related, so the younger someone can receive the vaccine, the better the odds are that cervical cancer can be prevented” Parker said.