January is Cervical Health Awareness Month as advocated by grassroots organization: National Cervical Cancer Coalition. Cervical cancer is attributed to the exponential growth of abnormal skin cells on a woman’s cervix. While always a significant reminder for women to get their routine PAP tests, this January may also be an opportune time to research the recently introduced HPV vaccine: Gardasil. While the HPV vaccine may reduce your chances of developing cervical cancer, it is still necessary to get routine PAP tests.
Cervical cancer is the 5th leading cause of cancer among women, and is the leading cancer killer among women in developing countries. In the United States, cervical cancer claims the lives of close to 4,000 women, and 10,000 women are diagnosed each year. The only effective prevention of cervical cancer is regular PAP tests. The HPV vaccine protects 70-80% of potential cervical cancer cases, due to the link between HPV, abnormal skin cells, and cervical cancer.
HPV is the virus that produces genital warts, and afflicts over 20 million Americans. HPV is also believed to be a link to anal and penile cancers, as well as cervical cancer. While HPV is one risk factor for cervical cancer, other known risks include a weakened immune system and smoking. The HPV vaccine is targeted towards women, and has not been effectively tested on men, but the HPV virus has a higher incidence among men than women.
Over 10% of women report they do not get regular PAP tests, so discuss with friends and family to insure they are doing all they can to prevent cervical cancer. Early detection is the best possible chance against cervical cancer, so make sure to get tested regularly. For more on Cervical Health Awareness Month, check out the National Cervical Cancer coalition website.
–Matthew Krajewski
