Health Department

January is cervical cancer awareness month!

Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers that affect women. Routine testing and early treatment can reduce a women's risk.

Cervical cancer is cancer that starts in a woman's cervix. The cervix is the lower, thin opening of the uterus that connects the vagina (or birth canal) to the uterus. Cervical cancer grows slowly over time and usually starts with abnormal changes to the cells on the cervix, known as dysplasia. Removing these abnormal cells can prevent cervical cancer. 99% of cervical cancer is caused by HPV infection. Most women don't have symptoms until cervical cancer has progressed.

Cervical cancer is almost always caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is so common that most people are infected at some point in their lives. There usually aren't any symptoms and the infection typically resolves on its own without treatment.

Some types of HPV cause genital warts, but no cervical changes or precancerous conditions, while other types cause cervical changes, which, over time, can lead to cervical cancer. Persistent infection with high risk HPV is the leading cause of cervical cancer.

HPV is passed through genital or skin-to-skin contact most often during vaginal or anal sex. Most people get it soon after they start having sex and it may be found years later. You cannot feel or see HPV.

There are two tests that screen for cervical cancer. A Pap test looks at cells on the cervix and is often done during a routine pelvic exam. It looks for changes on the cervix that could become cervical cancer if not treated. If your Pap test results show cells that are not normal and may become cancer, your health care provider will contact you for follow-up. There are many reasons why Pap test results might not be normal. It usually does not mean you have cancer.

The HPV test looks for the types of the virus that cause most cases of cervical cancer, the high-risk types. The HPV test can be done at the same time as the Pap test using either the same sample of cells or a second sample taken right after the Pap test. A positive result for high-risk HPV means that you should be followed closely to make sure that abnormal cells do not develop.

The Cancer Services Program (CSP) of Genesee, Orleans, Wyoming & Niagara provides free cervical, breast and colorectal cancer screening and diagnostic services for uninsured New Yorkers. Call (716)278-4898 for more information.