January Is Cervical Health Awareness Month Planned Parenthood Discusses the Importance of Preventing, Detecting and Treating Cervical Cancer
Page 1 of 2 January is Cervical Health Awareness Month Planned Parenthood discusses the importance of preventing, detecting and treating cervical cancer.
News Release
When Sylvia came to Planned Parenthood, she was like many of our patients: a college student in a committed relationship who wanted to be smart about birth control. Sylvia told us she was grateful she could come to our health center and AWARENESS receive compassionate, nonjudgmental care even though she couldn't pay for services. But Sylvia got more than she ever imagined during her visit. One of our clinicians suggested she get a Pap test, a service she Image Credit: Awarenessmonths.com had never considered before because she thought she was cervical cancer. cine is safe and effective. too young to get cancer. Thankfully,What is the most common The FDA has approved the she took the clinician's cause of Cervical Cancer? vaccine and the Centers for advice because Planned ParenthoodCervical cancer is caused by Disease Control and Prevention detected Sylvia's earlystagecertain types of HPV, or human (CDC) has recommended cervical cancer. She was papillomavirus, a very it for girls and boys aged treated immediately and today common sexually transmitted 11-12. The American Cancer is a cancer-free mother with a infection. The most common Society, the American Academy rewarding career. She credits sexually transmitted infection, of Pediatrics, as well as Planned Parenthood with savingHPV affects half of all sexually Planned Parenthood, support her life. adults at some point in their ensuring that all young people The vast majority of our patientslives. In most cases, the body's get the vaccine. visit Planned Parenthood immune system clears HPV Medical guidance recommends because they need contraceptionnaturally — but high-risk HPV that both girls and boys or testing and treatment for may lead to cervical cancer in get the vaccination when they sexually transmitted infections. some women. are 11 to 12 years old because What they also receive, though, How can a person reduce the vaccine works best when is education about how to maintainher risk of HPV? people receive it years before their reproductive and sexual One of the best ways to preventthey start having sex. But even health. the spread of HPV is by those who have had sex can Because of her age, Sylvia's getting the HPV vaccine. There benefit from the vaccine; it is early stage cervical cancer was are still a lot of myths out there available to anyone aged 9-26. extremely rare, but the concernsabout the vaccine. It's good to For women over the age of she had were very common,ask questions about any medication,26, the best way to prevent cervical so I'd like to address frequently but it's also important cancer is to get routine asked questions about to remember that the HPV vac¬ See Cervical page C4
The above material first appeared in the San Diego Voice & Viewpoint on the above date. All copyrights are reserved and no further reproduction is allowed without permission of the San Diego Voice & Viewpoint.
Page 2 of 2
Cervical continued from page B3 Pap tests. And while not rou¬
tinely given, some people may What is the survival rate for be candidates to receive the women with Cervical Cancer? vaccine after age 26 and should Treatment is also available for talk to their health care provider cervical cancer, which, when for more information. caught early, has a nearly 100 When should a woman get a percent five-year survival rate. Pap test? Planned Parenthood health centers For women starting at age 21, can help those who need additional a key part of prevention of cervical care connect with trusted, cancer is to get routine quality resources. Pap tests (on a schedule recommended*** by your health care When Sylvia came to Planned provider). This is true even for Parenthood, cervical cancer women who have had the HPV was the last thing on her mind. vaccine. Thankfully, our patients' health Does the HPV vaccine encourageis always first on ours. young people to have The idea of getting a Pap test sex? can be frightening, especially Research shows that young if it is one's first exam. But people who get the HPV vaccine Planned Parenthood health professionals are no more likely to have provide low to nocost sex than those who don't get care with the warmth and vaccinated. As a bonus, the compassion that have made us HPV vaccine appointment can America's most trusted name in give parents an opportunity to women's health care. talk with their kids about sex Sylvia was fortunate that her and sexual health. cervical cancer was detected in Is HPV contracted exclusively its earliest stage, but many women by sex? aren't as lucky. Each year, A person can be exposed to more than 12,000 women in HPV by having genital skinto-skinthe United States die from cervical contact just once with cancer. If you or someone someone who has the virus, so you know could benefit from a it's important to talk with your low-to-no-cost cervical cancer partner about the importance of screening, please call Planned being protected and safe. Parenthood for an appointment And while there is no cure at 1.888.743.7526 (PLAN) or for HPV, there is treatment for visit us online at planned.org. the abnormal cell changes in the cervix that are caused by HPV, available at Planned Parenthood health centers in our community.
The above material first appeared in the San Diego Voice & Viewpoint on the above date. All copyrights are reserved and no further reproduction is allowed without permission of the San Diego Voice & Viewpoint.