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January is Cervical Health Awareness Month. Prevention and screening are the most important ways to fight cervical cancer. During the pandemic, many people did not get tested for cervical cancer or receive the HPV vaccine (shot) that helps prevent this cancer.

Even though many COVID restrictions have been lifted, the HPV vaccination rate is 75% lower than before the pandemic, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). And cervical cancer screenings are 35% lower compared with before the pandemic.

If you have not gotten screened or vaccinated, Dr. Thomas A. Raskauskas, an obstetrician-gynecologist and Senior Medical Director at Fidelis Care, strongly recommends making an appointment with your health care provider. Proper screening and vaccination can help prevent advanced cervical cancer from developing.

Here, Dr. Raskauskas answers some common questions about cervical cancer:

1. What is cervical cancer?

            Cancer that develops in the opening of the womb, called the cervix.

2. What causes cervical cancer?

The main cause of cervical cancer is an infection called human papilloma virus (HPV) passed on by sexual contact. The virus causes the tissue cells to grow abnormally and turn into cancer.

3. Can cervical cancer be prevented?

            Yes, it can! There are vaccines that fight the human papilloma virus (HPV) and prevent it from growing abnormally into cancer cells.

4. Who should get the vaccine, and when?

It is ideal to get the vaccine before you become sexually active. Both boys and girls age 11 to 12 should get the vaccine. It can be given from ages 9 to 26. Talk with your health care provider if you are between 26 and 45 years of age to see if the vaccine is right for you. Depending upon your age, the vaccine is given in either two or three doses.

5. What is cervical cancer screening?

A simple test called a pap smear that takes a sample from the cervix to look for abnormal tissue, to test for HPV, or both.

6. When should I start being screened for cervical cancer?

The frequency and type of testing depends upon your age and health risks. Low health risk means you don’t have a serious health condition that affects your ability to fight infection, such as HIV. For low health risk, start cervical cancer screening from age 21 to 29, and repeat a pap smear every three years.

If you are age 30 to 65, you have a choice of screenings and frequency: either a pap smear every three years, OR a test for “high risk” human papilloma (HPV) every five years, OR both the pap smear and a test for “high risk” human papilloma (HPV) every five years.

7. When can I stop screening for cervical cancer?

Most women can stop screening for cervical cancer after age 65, or you have had surgery to remove your womb (hysterectomy) that also removed the cervix. Talk with your health care provider to see if you still need screening if you are over 65, or had surgery to remove your womb.

8. Why don’t I need cervical cancer screening before age 21?

Luckily, cervical cancer is very slow to develop and spread. Studies have shown that overtreatment due to testing before age 21 occurred.
 

For questions about cervical cancer prevention, screenings, or vaccines, talk with your primary care provider or OB/GYN.

For more information on women’s health topics, visit fideliscare.org/womens-health.