'Ending Cervical Cancer in our Lifetime'
                                                      National Lieutenant Governors Association
                                                                          Guam
 

Article published Jan 27, 2008
Cervical cancer is preventable
By Dr. Thomas Shieh
For Pacific Daily News
 

Earlier this month, Gov. Felix Camacho and Lt. Gov. Mike Cruz proclaimed January as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month.

Guam now joins our national campaign in the prevention of cervical cancer in women.

The National Cervical Cancer Coalition (NCCC) urges women to take action and protect themselves against cervical cancer.

Almost 10,000 American women will learn they have cervical cancer/HPV this year, and almost 4,000 will die from an advanced form of the disease.

Of particular interest for Guam, we have been witnessing an increasing climb of women testing positive for the human papilloma virus that is one of the main causes of cervical cancer. The youngest patient who has tested positive in our clinic for this virus along with an abnormal pap smear was 15 years old. Additionally, more than 50 percent of patients with an abnormal pap smear have tested positive for HPV.

Cervical cancer is preventable. A routine pap test is the best way of detecting cervical abnormalities early. The current HPV vaccine also has the potential of protecting women from this disease by targeting HPV types 16 and 18, both of which causes more than 70 percent of all cervical cancers cases.

Currently the HPV vaccine is approved for females between the ages of 9 and 26.

"These vaccines represent a major advancement in women's health and in cancer prevention. With these new tools, we may be able to help ensure no woman in the United States has to endure cervical cancer," says Juan C. Felix, MD, chairman of the NCCC medical advisory panel and chief of OB/GYN pathology at the Women's and Children's Hospital, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine. "We hope these vaccines will make cervical cancer a concern of the past."

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists strongly recommends that an adolescent girl's first visit to an ob-gyn for health guidance, screening, and preventive health occur between ages 13 and 15, ideally before sexual activity has occurred. Both parents and adolescents need to understand that an adolescent's initial visit does not necessarily include a pelvic examination or a Pap test.

Here are some ACOG recommended guidelines to the pap test:

 

  • First screen: Screening of cervical cytology (cervical cells) should begin by approximately 3 years after first sexual intercourse or by age 21, whichever comes first.

     

  • Women up to age 30: Women this age should undergo annual cervical cytology screening. Now for women under age 30 have a higher likelihood than older women of acquiring high-risk types of HPV that cause pre-malignant cervical disease, which should be ruled out before extending the testing intervals.

     

  • Women age 30 and older: There are two acceptable screening options for women in this age group, ACOG says. Under either option, women may not need annual screening.

    Testing using cervical cytology alone: If a woman age 30 or older has negative results on three consecutive annual cervical cytology tests, then she may be re-screened with cervical cytology alone every two to three years.

    The combined use of a cervical cytology test and an FDA-approved test for high-risk types of HPV: Under this option women receive both a cervical cytology test and a genetic test that looks for certain high-risk types of the human papillomavirus (HPV) known to cause cancer (HPV DNA test).

    There are exceptions. More frequent cervical screening may be required for higher-risk women who are infected with HIV, are immuno-suppressed or were previously diagnosed with cervical cancer.

    Annual exams should continue, regardless of the frequency of cervical cancer screening. Annual gynecologic examinations, including pelvic exams, are still recommended.

    You should talk to your health-care provider for more information on your personal screening that is tailored to your specific medical history.

    On Feb. 2, during the 4th Annual Drive for Justice Reunion Health Fair at the Guam Premier Outlets, we will be providing free information on cervical cancer prevention along with free consultations for women's health concerns. Our clinic will also be giving out free cervical cancer prevention pins to the first 300 women from 10 a.m to 3 p.m. at the fair. The lieutenant governor's office will be passing out hundreds of wristbands to raise cervical cancer awareness as well.

    Together, through education, screening and vaccination program for women, we can help prevent and decrease cervical cancer victims on Guam.

    Dr. Thomas Shieh is a board certified diplomat of the American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecologists, and a fellow of the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists.

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