Article for January, 2006

January Is National Cervical Cancer Screening Month

By Bobbie S. Gostout, MD
Gynecologic Cancer Foundation and the Associate Professor, Division of
Gynecologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic

As we turn the calendar to a new year, I hope that women will have a renewed commitment to maintaining their health. January marks National Cervical Cancer Screening Month and serves as a reminder to all of us that cervical cancer truly is preventable with regular screening.

Last year, the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation launched the "Take the Pledge" initiative as part of its National Cervical Cancer Public Education Campaign. This Campaign partners with over 30 leading health organizations, including the Office on Women's Health, to educate women about cervical cancer, and the importance of regular screening and early detection.

Many women have responded by taking the pledge to prevent cervical cancer by discussing screening options with their health care providers during an annual gynecologic examination. Each month we send exam reminders to the scores of women who have signed-up to request a specific month for their reminder on the Campaign's Web site at www.cervicalcancercampaign.org.

Each year cervical cancer kills about 3,700 women. In 2006, approximately 10,370 women will be newly diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer. As a gynecologic oncologist, or women's cancer doctor, I see these women in my practice and hear them say that they wished that they had been screened so that their cancer could have been detected early when it is 100% curable.

We know so much about this cancer. We know that almost all cases are caused by a persistent infection with the high-risk form of a sexually transmitted virus, the human papillomavirus. It usually affects women between the ages of 30 and 55 but has been found as early as the teen years. Risk factors include smoking, HIV infection and early age of first intercourse. But most important, we know that this is the only gynecologic cancer that can be prevented by regular screening.

Please remember:

• Women should be screened for cervical cancer about three years after they start having sexual intercourse. Screenings should start by the time a woman is 21 years old.
• Screening options are available for cervical cancer, including traditional Pap tests, newer liquid-based Pap tests and direct testing for HPV, the virus that causes cervical cancer. Talk with your health care provider about which screening option is right for you.

And join me in taking the pledge to prevent cervical cancer by logging onto www.cervicalcancercampaign.org.

This health article is brought to you by our Featured Health Article of the month:

Bobbie S. Gostout, MD
Gynecologic Cancer Foundation and the Associate Professor, Division of Gynecologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic

More Information:

• Screening Tests and Immunizations Guidelines for Women
• Search NWHIC's database on Cervical Cancer
• Read past months' Featured Health Articles columns
• Disclaimer

Current as of January 2006