Did you know that at one-point cervical cancer was the leading cause of cancer deaths for women in the United States?

Thankfully, through annual screenings and healthcare prevention methods, that number has reduced greatly. However, according to the National Cancer Institute, roughly 14,100 new cases were reported in 2022 with an estimated 4,280 deaths caused from cervical cancer alone.

Each year the month of January is recognized as Cervical Health Awareness Month, an initiative to educate and encourage women on the importance of cervical cancer prevention through annual screenings, knowing the signs and symptoms, and early detection of cervical cancer.

Read on to learn what cervical cancer can look like and how to detect it early on.

What is cervical cancer?

Long-lasting infection with certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) is the main cause of cervical cancer and typically occurs in women over the age of 30. HPV is a common virus that is passed from one person to another during sex. At least half of sexually active people will have HPV at some point in their lives, but few women will get cervical cancer from the virus.

What are the symptoms?

Cervical cancer may not cause signs and symptoms early on. However, advanced cervical cancer may cause bleeding or discharge from the vagina that is not normal for an individual, such as bleeding after sex.

What are the risk factors?

The main risk factor for cervical cancer is HPV. Almost all cervical cancers are caused by HPV and there are several types of HPV. Some types can cause changes on a woman’s cervix that can lead to cervical cancer over time, while other types can cause genital or skin warts.

HPV usually causes no symptoms, and many people will not know they have it. For most women, HPV will go away on its own; however, if it does not, there is a chance that over time it may cause cervical cancer.

Other factors that may increase a person’s risk of cervical cancer include smoking tobacco and/or HIV diagnosis.

How can I be screened for cervical cancer? At what age should screenings begin?

The HPV test and the Pap test can help prevent cervical cancer or detect it early. All women should start getting Pap tests at age 21.

Between the ages of 30 and 65, you and your doctor may decide that you should have the:

• HPV test only. This is called primary HPV testing. If your result is normal, your doctor may tell you that you can wait five years until your next screening test.
• HPV test along with the Pap test. This is called co-testing. If both of your results are normal, your doctor may tell you that you can wait five years until your next screening test.
• Pap test only. If your result is normal, your doctor may tell you that you can wait three years until your next Pap test.

If you are older than 65, your doctor may tell you that you don’t need to be screened anymore if:

• You have had normal screening test results for several years, and
• You have not had a cervical precancer in the past or
• You have had your cervix removed as part of a total hysterectomy for non-cancerous conditions, like fibroids.

The bottom line is routine screenings and annual doctor visits can help detect early stages of cervical cancer and can save lives. Speak to your healthcare provider about your cervical health and how you can continue protecting yourself.

If you have questions or concerns about your cervical health, you or your children’s HPV vaccination schedule, or to talk to one of our trained staff members about cervical cancer and its risks, call us at 304.478.3339 or 304.478.6000 or 681.435.0011. Remember, it only takes a few shots to protect yourself and your loved ones for a lifetime.