Learning About Cervical Cancer
- Cervical cancer, which has been linked to the human papillomavirus (HPV), is curable when discovered early through routine screening, which is done through Pap Smears or HPV tests. However, the FDA has just approved cervical screening self-tests, allowing more women to get tested and catch the HPV-linked disease early on.
- According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), cervical cancer forms in the cells of the cervix, the lower, narrow end of the uterus (womb) which connected the uterus to the vagina.
- Cervical cancer has also been linked to the human papillomavirus (HPV), an STI. And while it’s true that nearly all cases of cervical cancer are caused by HPV, people should also be aware that HPV puts both men and women at risk of developing several other cancers as well including cancers of the vagina, penis, anus and throat.
For women like sportscaster Erin Andrews, who was diagnosed with cervical cancer during a routine screening in 2016 and treated the disease with surgery, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has revealed its new approval for cervical screening self-tests. The approval allows women to use a kit to collect their own vaginal sample for human papillomavirus (HPV) screening in a health care setting, which could help women at risk for cervical cancer detect the disease early on.
What You Need to Know About Cervical Cancer Screenings A Wednesday
press release by Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD) revealed the FDA's groundbreaking approval, explains the approval is "for the use of self-collected vaginal specimens for human papillomavirus (HPV) testing when cervical specimens cannot otherwise be obtained," adding it "allows women to self-collect vaginal specimens for HPV testing in a health care setting, which could include non-traditional locations such as a retail pharmacy or mobile clinic." "HPV is the cause of virtually all cervical cancer, and HPV testing is the preferred screening method by the American Cancer Society in the United States. The BD Onclarity™ HPV Assay is FDA-approved for HPV primary testing without the need for a traditional Pap smear performed with a speculum," the new release states. As per the press release, this approval better allows women to have a less invasive testing option and offers additional access for individuals who may have had difficulty getting screened. BD's vice president of Global Medical Affairs for Diagnostic Solutions and board-certified gynecologist Dr. Jeff Andrews said, "Many patients are uncomfortable with the intimate nature of a pelvic exam. "Also, many people live in areas without a local doctor or clinician trained to obtain a sample with a speculum. The option to self-collect in a clinical setting can help women overcome some of these barriers."
Expert Cervical Cancer Information
The press release also points how important screening for cervical cancer really is, noting how the American Cancer Society says about 50% of cervical cancer diagnoses take place in people who have never been screened for the disease. As well as 10% of diagnoses take place in under-screened women. Additionally, the National Cancer Institute, which says 25% of women across the nation don't receive regular cervical cancer screenings, advises on it's website, "Cervical cancer is highly preventable and highly curable if caught early. Nearly all cervical cancers could be prevented by HPV vaccination, routine cervical cancer screening, and appropriate follow-up treatment when needed." BD notes, "Various factors contribute to inadequate screening, including physical and geographic inaccessibility, financial insecurity (including lack of health insurance coverage), lack of awareness about the importance of screening, social or religious preferences, physical disability, medical conditions, or history of sexual, physical or psychological abuse that may make a pelvic examination for sample collection by a clinician traumatizing." According a
Roche Diagnostics press release on the FDA approval, Matt Sause, CEO of Roche Diagnostics made the following statement, "With vaccinations, innovative diagnostic tools and screening programs, achieving the WHO’s goal of eliminating cervical cancer by 2030 is within reach. "Our HPV self-collection solution helps support this goal by reducing barriers and providing access to HPV screening by allowing people to privately collect their own sample for HPV testing."
Be Pushy, Be Your Advocate, Says Leading Expert American Cancer Society (ACS) CEO Dr. Kara Knudsen also said in a
statement, "Almost all cervical cancers are caused by persistent infection with certain types of HPV. "Self-collection can expand access to screening and reduces barriers, which will give more people the opportunity to detect, treat and ultimately survive cancer." Cervical cancer is a disease in which Black, American Indian, and Hispanic women are more likely to get than other racial groups across the U.S.
Erin Andrews' Cervical Cancer Battle
Erin Andrews was 38 when doctors detected cervical cancer during a routine pap screening in 2016. Since her diagnosis, Andrews has been a vocal advocate for women to stay current on their cancer screenings. To treat her cancer, Andrews underwent two surgeries.
RELATED: Resilient Sportscaster Erin Andrews Regrets How She Handled Cervical Cancer Fight: ‘I Did Not Wanna Deal With It Mentally At All’ Prior to surgery, she had In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) to preserve her fertility. And just this year, Andrews and her husband Jarret Stroll welcomed their first child via a surrogate after years of fertility struggles.
Cervical cancer is detected via a pap smear test, which looks for early signs of cervical cancer.
Nurse Practitioner Barbara Dehn told SurvivorNet in an earlier interview, “Many women think that a Pap smear checks for ovarian cancer, but it doesn't. Pap smears detect only cervical cancer, not all gynecologic cancers. “In fact, there is no test that detects ovarian cancer in its earliest stages, which is why two-thirds to three-quarters of women are diagnosed at a later stage, when the disease has spread to nearby tissues and organs.”
RELATED: Famous Sportscaster Erin Andrews, 46, Says NFL Stars Cried Over Her Cervical Cancer Diagnosis Every year in the U.S.,
approximately 11,500 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Getting pap smears to detect for cervical cancer is critically important because an earlier diagnosis may mean a better prognosis and broader treatment options.
Understanding Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer forms in the cells of the cervix, the lower, narrow end of the uterus (womb), which connects the uterus to the vagina, according to the
National Cancer Institute (NCI). “Cervical cancer usually develops slowly over time. Before cancer appears in the cervix, the cells of the cervix go through changes known as dysplasia, in which abnormal cells begin to appear in the cervical tissue,” the NCI explains. "Over time, if not destroyed or removed, the abnormal cells may become cancer cells and start to grow and spread more deeply into the cervix and surrounding areas." Treatment options for cervical cancer include surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.
RELATED: Young and Worried About Cancer? The Five Things You Shouldn’t Do (And What Doctors Recommend) It’s important to note that HPV (human papillomavirus), a sexually-transmitted virus, causes more than 70% of cervical cancer cases.
More than 90% of HPV-related cancers , including cervical cancer, are preventable in people who get the HPV vaccine that is recommended for all preteens (both girls and boys) 11 to 12 years old in two doses administered between six and 12 months apart. The shots can also be started as early as nine years old. “The key with the vaccine is that you received the vaccine before you ever reach sexual debut or have sexual encounters. So that’s why these vaccines are approved for young children ages 9, 10, 11 years old, up to 26,”
Dr. Jessica Geiger, a medical oncologist at Cleveland Clinic Cancer, told SurvivorNet. Additionally, other risk factors like smoking can make you about
twice as likely to get cervical cancer as those who don't smoke.
Cervical cancer screening is critically important because an earlier diagnosis can mean a better prognosis with broader treatment options.
Finding the Support You Need to Heal During Cancer Treatment The American Cancer Society recommends that cervical cancer screening begins at age 25, and people aged 25 to 65 should have a primary HPV test, an HPV test done by itself for screening, every 5 years. If primary HPV testing is not available, however, screening may be done with either a co-test that combines an HPV test with a Papanicolaou (Pap) test every 5 years or a Pap test alone every 3 years. The
most common symptoms of cervical cancer can include:
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding, such as bleeding after vaginal sex, bleeding after menopause, after douching, bleeding and spotting in between periods or having heavier or longer (menstrual) periods than usual.
- Unusual discharge from the vagina that may contain some blood and may occur between your periods or after menopause.
- Pain during sex.
- Pain in the pelvic region.
Understanding Cervical Cancer Screenings
Prior to the FDA's new approval, the two main types of
screening tests consisted of the Pap test (also known as
Pap smear ) and the HPV test. Both tests are essential in detecting cervical cancer or abnormal cells that may lead to cancer if left untreated. Your healthcare provider may recommend one or both tests based on your age and medical history.
Pap Test:
- The Pap test is a widely used screening method that involves collecting a sample of cells from the cervix using a small brush or spatula. These samples are then examined under a microscope to identify any abnormal cervical cells that could potentially lead to cancer.
- Current guidelines recommend that women start having Pap tests at age 21. For women aged 21-29, it is usually recommended to have a Pap test every three years. For women aged 30-65, the recommendation is to have a Pap test and HPV test (also known as co-testing) every five years or a Pap test alone every three years. After 2-3 normal Pap smears, screening can usually be discontinued after the age of 65.
HPV Test:
- The HPV test is designed to detect the presence of high-risk HPV types in the cervical cells. This test can be done using the same sample collected during a Pap test or by taking a separate sample.
- According to guidelines, the HPV test is not recommended for women under the age of 30, as HPV infections are prevalent in younger individuals and often clear on their own. Instead, the HPV test is recommended for women aged 30-65, either as part of co-testing with a Pap test every five years or as a standalone test every three years if the Pap test is not conducted.
Choosing the right screening test depends on factors such as your
age , personal
medical history , and the recommendations of your healthcare provider. It's essential to understand the different screening tests available, so you can make informed decisions about your cervical health. Regularly attending screenings is a crucial part of early detection and prevention, leading to better cervical health and overall well-being.
Why Screenings Are Important
Regular cervical cancer screenings play a vital role in the early detection and prevention of cervical cancer. Timely cervical cancer screenings are essential because they:
- Help identify abnormal cells early: Screenings can detect abnormal cervical cells (also called cervical dysplasia) before they turn into cancer. Early detection allows for timely interventions and treatment, preventing the progression to cervical cancer.
- Reduce the risk of cervical cancer: Consistent and regular screenings have been shown to significantly decrease the risk of developing cervical cancer. The more often you get screened, the higher the chance of catching any abnormal cells early enough to treat them effectively.
- Confidence in your health status: Regular screenings provide peace of mind, knowing you're taking steps to safeguard your health. Whenever abnormal cells are detected and treated, it helps maintain your overall well-being and offers reassurance.
Despite the benefits of regular screenings, some people may neglect them due to factors such as a lack of awareness, fear, or procrastination. It's essential to remember that both the Pap test and HPV test usually take only a few minutes, easily performable during a regular doctor's visit. The best preventative measure against cervical cancer is attending regular screenings and updating your healthcare provider on any changes in your gynecological health.
Understanding HPV
The human papillomavirus (HPV) is “a group of more than 200 related viruses, some of which are spread through vaginal, anal or oral sex,” the
National Cancer Institute says. HPV infection is linked to multiple cancers, and the majority of sexually active people will get the disease at some point in their lives.
Should I Give My Kids the HPV Vaccine? A Leading Doctor On Why She Says “Yes!” Although nearly all cases of cervical cancer are indeed caused by HPV, people should also be aware that HPV puts both men and women at risk of developing several other cancers, such as oral cancer and cancers of the vagina, penis, anus, and throat. Overall, HPV is believed to be the cause of 90% of anal and cervical cancers, approximately 70% of vaginal and vulvar cancers, and 60% of penile cancers. “There are no screening guidelines to screen for throat cancer, unlike cervical cancer with pap smears,” says
Dr. Jessica Geiger , a medical oncologist at Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center, previously told SurvivorNet. “There are no standard tests to determine if you harbor the virus.”
WATCH: HPV’s link to cancer. On the plus side, HPV-related throat cancers are generally very responsive to a combination of radiation and chemotherapy treatments, according to Dr. Geiger. “The cure rates for people who have HPV-related disease are a lot higher than those who have tobacco-related throat cancer,” she said.
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff 
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