Based on AmericanCancer Societyestimates, about 30women a day will bediagnosed with cervicalcancer in the UnitedStates this year.
In 2008 the ACS estimated thatthere would be over 11,000 newcases reported and almost 4,000deaths from cervical cancer.Texas has the second highestrate of cervical cancer in the U.S.Worldwide, cervical cancer is thesecond largest cause of femalecancer mortality, due to the factthat in many countries women donot have access to preventive caresuch as Pap tests.
Cervical cancer is cancer of thecervix (the lower part of the uterusthat connects to the vagina). Unlikemany other cancers, cervical canceris not hereditary. It’s caused bycertain types of a virus, humanpapillomavirus (HPV). When awoman becomes infected with oneof these types of HPV, and the virusdoesn’t go away on its own, abnormalcells can develop in the lining of thecervix. If these cells are not foundearly, pre–cancers and then cancercan develop.
Both men and women can haveHPV, and it is easily spread. Anytype of genital contact with someonewho has HPV can put you at risk . . .intercourse isn’t necessary. Men areconsidered as “carriers”, as they cantransmit the virus but it is not knownwhether they can develop diseasesfrom it. And, since there are oftenno signs or symptoms, many peopledon’t know they are passing it on. TheCenter for Disease Control estimatesthat by the age of 50, 80 percent ofwomen at some point in their life willcontract HPV.
Concepcion Martinez, M.D. is anOB/GYN physician and owner ofthe new Magnolia Women’s Care inthe Stoneterra building in Stone Oak(www.MagnoliaWomen.com). “Thereare more than 30 types of genitalHPV,” she said. “Of the more than6 million new cases in the UnitedStates each year, it is estimated that74 percent of them occur in 15 to24 year olds. The good news is thatwomen can now protect themselvesby getting the new HPV vaccine.”
In June 2007 the FDA approvedthe vaccine “Gardasil”. It is the onlycervical cancer vaccine on the markettoday that helps protect againstfour types of HPV: two types thatcause 70 percent of cervical cancercases and two more types that cause90 percent of genital warts cases.Martinez states, “Gardasil is for girlsand young women ages 9 to 26. It isrecommended that females receivethe vaccine before becoming sexuallyactive.” Martinez does say that evenafter a woman is sexually active it isstill worth getting it. Gardasil is givenas three injections over a period of 6months.
“The HPV vaccine is not intendedto treat patients with cervicalabnormalities or genital warts”,adds Martinez. “Patients with theseconditions should continue toundergo the appropriate evaluationand treatment. It is also importantto remember that having regularPap tests is one of the best ways tohelp protect against cervical cancerin the future.” According to theAmerican College of Obstetriciansand Gynecologists, a woman’s firstPap test should be three years afterbecoming sexually active or at age21, whichever comes first. After that,a Pap test should be part of a yearlygynecological exam.
According to Martinez, the HPVvaccine is a preventive tool and isnot a substitute for cancer screening.“Plus, the vaccine is not right foreveryone. Its use in pregnancy is notrecommended. Research regardingvaccination of women older than 26years and males is currently underway. Of course, like most vaccines,there can be side effects, too. If anywoman would like to find out moreabout Gardasil, they can contactme at my office and I’ll be more thanhappy to sit down and talk to them.”
Martinez concludes, “Womenshould see their gynecologist annuallyfor a complete evaluation. This shouldinclude a gynecological exam, breastexam and STD evaluation.”
Jay Evans is owner of AvanteMedical Consulting. For moreinformation about Avante’s services,contact Jay at 210–495–5094 or emailJayEvans@satx.rr.com.
