Cervical Health Awareness Month 2012

The United States Congress has designated January as Cervical Health Awareness Month. January is almost over, but today on the QuickMedical blog we'll explore cervical cancer, HPV disease, and the importance of early detection. Each year in the U.S. approximately 12,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and more than 4,000 lives are lost as a result. There are also many more women who have cervical abnormalities and abnormal Pap tests for reasons other than cancer, but who still undergo follow-up exams and treatments.

Cervical cancer is caused by specific types of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a common infection that almost everyone who is sexually active will have at some point. There are vaccines that block the types of HPV most often found with cervical diseases, and screening tests (such as Pap tests and HPV tests) can identify women most at risk. Cervical cancer can be prevented. Early vaccination (females and males ages 9-26 are eligible) and regular Pap tests beginning at age 21 are the best ways.

Click ahead to learn more about cervical health awareness and cervical cancer prevention.

The Pap test (sometimes called a Pap smear) is a way to examine cells collected from the cervix (the lower, narrow end of the uterus). The main purpose of a Pap test is to find abnormal cell changes that may arise from cervical cancer or before cancer develops. A Pap test and pelvic exam are important parts of a woman's routine health care because they can detect abnormalities that may lead to cancer of the cervix. These abnormalities can be treated before cancer develops. Most invasive cancers of the cervix can be prevented if women have Pap tests regularly. Also, as with many types of cancer, cancer of the cervix is more likely to be treated successfully if it is detected early.

A physician may simply describe Pap test results to a patient as "abnormal." Cells on the surface of the cervix sometimes appear abnormal but are very rarely cancerous. It's important to remember that abnormal conditions do not always become cancerous, and some conditions are more likely to lead to cancer than others. A woman should ask her doctor for specific information about her Pap test result and what the result means.

Sometimes an OB/Gyn will perform a colposcopy. A colposcopy allows your doctor to look very closely at your cervix using a colposcope. A colposcope is an instrument with a series of lenses that magnify the tissues in the cervix. Initially, a colposcopy feels similar to a Pap smear. However, instead of taking a sample of the cervical cells, your doctor will place the colposcope at the vaginal opening. If your cervical tissue appears abnormal, your doctor can cut off a small tissue sample with a biopsy punch. You may feel a slight pinch or cramp, but most biopsy punches are equipped for large tissue sampling with minimal trauma and discomfort. The tissue will be sent to a lab for analysis and your doctor should be able to make a more specific diagnosis of the problem in your cervix and suggest further treatment if necessary.

QuickMedical urges all women to remember to schedule regular pap tests and pelvic exams. Be aware of your cervical health during cervical health month, and throughout the year.

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