A Pap Smear for a Healthy New Year

January is often a time for cleansing and dieting as a way to start off the new year healthy and fresh (Drynuary, anyone?). But if you’re not into detoxing, you can still kick off 2016 with something good for your health by taking advantage of Cervical Health Awareness Month. This January, the American Social Health Association (ASHA) and the National Cervical Cancer Coalition are raising awareness to encourage screening and HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccination.

If you don’t know what the cervix does or where it’s located, this is a good opportunity to get informed. The cervix is the lower, narrow end of the uterus that forms a canal between the uterus and vagina. It holds a key role in sex and reproduction, and its health is very important for maintenance of good overall health.

The most prominent disease affecting the cervix is cervical pre-cancer, in most cases chronic infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV). Left untreated or detected late, these pre-cancers can progress to cervical cancer in 10 to 20 years.

Cervical cancer was once the most common cause of reproductive cancer death in the developed world. Today it has dropped to fourth place because of the availability of “secondary prevention methods” like screening, early diagnosis and treatment. Most cervical cancer deaths occur in low to middle income countries.

Most of the available tests are affordable, and they can detect pre-cancer. There are several affordable treatment options too. Even though a large portion of HPV infections (up to 90% within two years) as well as some pre-cancerous lesions do clear up, there is a risk that the infection can become chronic, and that precancerous lesions progress to cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer is highly curable if found early and treated. Routine screenings, which detect changes in cells lining the cervix, and treatment of these precancerous spots prevents almost half of all cervical cancers. Similar to most cancer cases, prognosis depends on how advanced the disease is at the time of diagnosis. The most important thing in preventing cervical cancer is yearly screening.

The good news is that over 90% of potential cervical cancers can be detected early by two tests:

1. The Pap test (or Pap smear), which looks for changes in cervical cells. People between the ages of 21 and 65 should get a pap smear annually.
2. The HPV test, which detects presence of the HPV virus.

HPV vaccines given to individuals before they become sexually active can prevent a large percentage of cervical cancer.

Signs and symptoms of early cervical cancer are usually not very noticeable, but may include the following:

(I) Vaginal bleeding

(II) Unusual vaginal discharge

(III) Pelvic pain

(IV) Difficult or painful sexual intercourse

(V) Postcoital bleeding

We highly recommend regular testing and annual checkups. If you experience any of the above symptoms, please visit and consult your doctor.

References

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