January - Cervical Cancer Awareness Month!
 
 

  Cervical Cancer - Risk Factors

Research has found several factors that may affect a woman's risk of developing cervical cancer:

  • Infection with certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV).
  • A high number of sexual partners
  • Many full-term pregnancies
  • Use of oral contraceptives
  • Infrequent Pap tests and cervical examinations
  • Smoking
  • Diet low in fruits and vegetables

  

Pap Smears

  • Cervical cancer screening has decreased cervical cancer rates by about 75%
  • Begin at age 21 or within 3 years of first sexual intercourse, whichever comes first

 

Who Does Not Need Pap Smears?

  • Those women over 65 years of age with normal previous pap smears
  • Women who do not have a cervix due to hysterectomy

 

Disease Burden

  • 11,892 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2004
  • 3,850 women died from cervical cancer in 2004

 

Gardasil

  • Human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV) (minimum age: 9yrs, maximum age: 26yrs):
  • Administer the first dose of the HPV vaccine series to females at age 11-12 years.
  • Does not contain live virus
  • Duration of protection unknown, longest trial: 4 years
  • Vaccination is not effective at clearing previous infection with any strain of HPV, but is still given if infection with HPV is present.

 

Dosing Schedule

  • First Dose = Day 0
  • Second Dose = 2 months after the first dose (can be later than 2  months, but not before.)
  • Third Dose = 12 weeks after SECOND dose
  • Not recommended for use in pregnant women
  • Low grade fever and mild URI are not indications to delay receiving the vaccine

 

 *For more information on cervical cancer go to: www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical



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