5 things to know about cervical cancer
The GO Teal and White campaign aims to raise awareness about cervical cancer during the month of January.
During January, USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute encourages you to join people from across Alabama in its GO Teal and White campaign to raise awareness about cervical cancer.
Jennifer Young Pierce, M.D., M.P.H., gynecologic oncologist and professor of interdisciplinary clinical oncology at the Mitchell Cancer Institute, offers these five things that everyone should know about cervical cancer:
- Unlike many other cancers, we know what causes cervical cancer. The Human Papillomavirus, commonly known as HPV, is responsible for almost all cases of cervical cancer. HPV is also implicated in oropharyngeal, vaginal, vulvar, anal and penile cancers.
- Cervical cancer can be deadly. Alabama and Mississippi rank first in the country for cervical cancer mortality. There are also health disparities in cervical cancer with African American and Hispanic women having higher mortality than white women in our state. Several factors play into this including access to healthcare.
- We can eradicate cervical cancer in future generations.The HPV vaccine prevents 90 percent of all HPV-related cancers in men and women, is proven to be safe and effective, and is recommended by the CDC for boys and girls ages 11-12. Catch-up vaccination is recommended up to age 26. The HPV vaccine is given in two doses for those who start the vaccine series prior to age 15, and three doses for those starting later. HPV vaccination rates are on the rise nationwide and in Alabama. According to the CDC, there are now more children in the Alabama who are up to date on their HPV vaccination than those who are not. We believe that parents are listening to recommendations from physicians to include the HPV vaccine as part of routine adolescent health and prevention.
- Screening tests can detect pre-cancers in adult women. Starting at age 21, women should get a Pap test every three years and add an HPV test starting at age 30 as recommended by a doctor. Adding an HPV test to a Pap test can detect pre-cancer and cancer earlier when it is more likely to be curable. If both tests are negative, women can safely space out screening to five years.
- Positive screening also demands follow-up. Physicians report that many women develop cervical cancer not because they miss screenings but because they fail to follow up on abnormal results. It’s heartbreaking to see women lose their fertility, and even their lives, because they were too busy to return for additional tests or treatment. The Pap test itself doesn’t prevent cancer. It’s the treatment of abnormal results that prevents cancer from forming. Women should make sure to follow-up on that abnormal test for the treatment they need.
We urge you to join us in the GO Teal and White campaign this month. Plan to wear the cancer awareness colors of teal and white on GO Teal and White Day, Friday, Jan. 17, and post your photo on social media using the hashtag #gotealandwhite. Learn the facts and help us spread the word about how, together, we can eliminate cervical cancer in our lifetime.
GO Teal and White participating organizations include USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute, the American Cancer Society, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Lilies of the Valley, Alabama Public Health, the Alabama Comprehensive Cancer Control Coalition, the Laura Crandall Brown Foundation, Human Rights Watch and the Alabama Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
