Cancer & Women
Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer can occur in any woman who is or has been sexually active. It is more likely to occur in women who have a virus called HPV (human papilloma virus), which is passed through sex. It is also more common in women who smoke, who have HIV or AIDS, or are older and haven’t had regular Pap screening.
Thanks to the Pap test, cervical cancer has become an uncommon cancer in the U.S. The Pap test can find changes in the cervix that can be treated before they become cancer and is effective at finding cervical cancer early, when it is highly curable.
In addition, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved a new vaccine that protects against infection by types of the HPV that causes cervical cancer. The vaccine is recommended for girls and women between the ages of 9 and 26.
What you can do
- If you are between these ages, or if you have a daughter who is between these ages, talk to your doctor or pediatrician about the HPV vaccine.
- All women should begin regular Pap tests by age 21 or within three years after onset of vaginal intercourse. Regular Pap tests should be done yearly; the newer liquid-based Pap test, every two years.
- Beginning at age 30, women who have had three normal Pap test results in a row may be screened every two to three years. (Women with certain risk factors such as a weakened immune system or DES exposure before birth should continue to be screened more often).
- Women over 30 may also consider a Pap test plus the DNA test for infection with the human papilloma virus (HPV) every three years.
- Women over 70 who have had three normal Pap tests in a row and no abnormal Pap tests in the past 10 years may choose to stop having screening. Women with a history of cervical cancer or certain risk factors should continue screening.
See also:
- Cervical Cancer: The VICC.ORG Directory of Cancers,Treatments, Services & Resources
- National Cervical Cancer Public Education Campaign
