Submitted by
Harriet D. Dial, MDiv
WV BCCSP
During 1998-2002, invasive cervical cancer was the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality among West Virginia women aged 25-44. This number could be greatly reduced if West Virginia women received routine Pap tests.
What is cervical cancer?
· The cervix is the lower part of your uterus (womb).
· Cancer of the cervix (cervical cancer) is a serious but preventable disease.
· Screening tests can find changes in cervical cells before cancer develops.
· Changes in cervical cells before cancer develops are called dysplasia (dis-PLAY-zha).
· Removing cells that have dysplasia can prevent cervical cancer.
· If left untreated, dysplasia can lead to cervical cancer.
· Screening tests can help prevent cervical cancer.
· Cervical cancer can be cured if it's found at an early stage.
What causes cervical cancer?
· Cervical cancer is caused by a virus called human papillomavirus (HPV).
· HPV is not the same as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV, which causes AIDS) or herpes simplex virus (HSV, which causes cold sores and genital herpes).
· Infection with HPV is very common among adults in the United States. In fact, most people will have HPV at some point in their lives.
· Usually, your body's immune system fights off the infection, and HPV goes away on its own.
Are there symptoms of HPV?
· No, HPV infection doesn't cause symptoms, so most people don't know they have it.
· A person can have HPV for a very long time before it's found.
Risk Factors:
· Sexual behavior (intercourse at an early age, multiple sex partners, having unprotected sex)
· Smoking
· Family history of cervical cancer
What screening tests are done for cervical cancer?
The Pap test
What is the Pap test?
· The Pap test is used to look for abnormal cervical cells.
· Pap tests are often done during the pelvic exam portion of a well-woman visit.
· During a Pap test, your health care provider will collect a sample of cervical cells for analysis by a laboratory.
· About 90% of Pap test results are normal.
· If the test result is abnormal, you may need more tests.
· In most cases an abnormal Pap result does not mean that a woman has cancer.
When should women be screened for cervical cancer?
· Experts recommend that a woman's first Pap test be done by age 21 or three years after she becomes sexually active with vaginal intercourseâwhichever is first.
· Women should speak to their health care provider about how often to have a Pap test.
· Women age 70 or older should discuss with their health care provider whether or not to continue cervical cancer screening.
· Women who have had a total hysterectomy (surgery to remove the uterus and cervix) that was not performed to treat cancer or dysplasia might not need to be screened but should discuss this with their health care provider.
Don't have insurance to pay for a pap test?
Simply call your Regional WV Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Office in Parkersburg to see if you qualify for these free exams - 304-422-1515.
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