Coastal GA News

Southeast Georgia Health System issued the following announcement on Jan. 27. 

Cervical cancer is often referred to as “the silent killer.” However, while it affects women of all ages worldwide and presents very few symptoms in the early stages, it’s the most preventable of all female cancers. January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, and is a great time to talk with a health care provider to learn more about screenings and prevention measures.

According to a study published in the March 2021 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, cervical cancer screenings fell by 94% compared to the 2017-2019 averages following the COVID-19 epidemic. Southeast Georgia Health System is committed to helping prevent cervical cancer and encourages all women in the Golden Isles to schedule their cervical cancer screenings.

Over 90% of cervical cancers are caused by a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. HPV infections are very common - nearly all sexually active people are infected with HPV at some point in their lifetime. Most HPV infections go away on their own and don’t cause cancer, but sometimes the infections last longer. When a high-risk HPV infection lasts for many years, it can lead to cell changes. If these changes are not treated, they may worsen over time and become cancerous.

Doctors can test for the high-risk HPV types that are most likely to cause cervical cancer by looking for pieces of the DNA in cervical cells. Screenings are completed using a primary HPV test, or at the same time as a Pap test, called a co-test. Women won’t notice a difference in their exam if both tests are done at the same time.

Both types of screening tests, the HPV and Pap tests, require a small sample of cells from the cervix. A health care provider collects these using a small tool to scrape or brush the cervix gently. The same set of cells is used for both tests.

• The Pap test looks for changes in the cells that might be pre-cancer or cancer.
• The HPV test looks in the cells for infection by high-risk types of HPV that are most likely to cause pre-cancer or cancer.

For people aged 21 to 65 years, the preferred American Cancer Society schedule methods include the following.

• A primary HPV test every five years.
• A co-test every five years combining an HPV test with a Pap test.
• A Pap test alone every three years.

People older than age 65 with a cervix can stop being screened if they’ve had 10 years of regular screenings with normal results. Those who have had their cervix removed, such as from a hysterectomy, don’t need to be screened if the surgery was done for reasons unrelated to cervical cancer or serious pre-cancer.

The most important thing to remember is to get screened regularly, regardless of which testing method you receive. The HPV vaccine is a great preventive measure to combat cervical cancer. The majority of people become exposed to HPV in their late teens or early 20s, so early immunization is an essential preventative step. The vaccine is approved for boys and girls beginning at age nine. People who have gotten the HPV vaccine should still follow the screening guidelines listed above.

The Health System encourages women to talk with a health care provider about risks for cervical cancer, as these guidelines are only for people with an average risk. If you have had cervical cancer in the past, have a family history of cervical cancer, or have a weakened immune system, you may need to follow different guidelines recommended by your health care provider.

To find a health care provider, call the Health System’s toll free provider referral line at 855-ASK-SGHS (855-275-7447) or visit sghs.org/providers.

Original source can be found here.

Source: Southeast Georgia Health System