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Cervical cancer - screening and prevention

Cancer cervix - screening; HPV - cervical cancer screening; Dysplasia - cervical cancer screening; Cervical cancer - HPV vaccine

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Cervical cancer is a cancer that starts in the cervix. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus (womb) that opens at the top of the vagina.

There is a lot you can do to decrease your chance of having cervical cancer. Also, your health care provider can do tests to find early changes that may lead to cancer, or to find cervical cancer in the early stages.

Lifestyle and Safer Sex Habits

Almost all cervical cancers are caused by the HPV (human papilloma virus).

• HPV is a common virus that spreads through sexual contact.
• Certain types of HPV are more likely to lead to cervical cancer. These are called high-risk types of HPV.
• Other types of HPV cause genital warts.

HPV can be passed from person to person even when there are no visible warts or other symptoms.

Vaccines to Prevent Cervical Cancer

A vaccine is available to protect against the HPV types that cause most cervical cancer in women. The vaccine is:

• Recommended for girls, boys, women, and men ages 9 through 26. It also may be given to adults ages 27 to 45 if they are at risk for HPV and have not already been vaccinated.
• Given as 2 shots in girls ages 9 through 14, and as 3 shots in teens 15 years or older.
• Best for girls to get by age 11 or before becoming sexually active. However, girls and younger women who are already sexually active can still be protected by the vaccine if they've never been infected.

These safer sex practices can also help reduce your risk of getting HPV and cervical cancer:

• Always use condoms. But be aware that condoms cannot fully protect you. This is because the virus or warts can also be on the nearby skin.
• Have only one sexual partner, whom you know is infection-free.
• Limit the number of sexual partners you have over time.
• Do not get involved with partners who take part in high-risk sexual activities.
• Do not smoke. Cigarette smoking increases the risk of getting cervical cancer.

Pap Smears

Cervical cancer often develops slowly. It starts as precancerous changes called dysplasia. Dysplasia can be detected by a medical test called a Pap smear or Pap test.

Dysplasia is fully treatable. That is why it is important for women to get regular screening tests, so that precancerous cells can be removed before they can become cancer.

At times, the HPV test may be used along with a Pap test. The HPV test can identify the high-risk types of HPV that are known to cause cervical cancer.

Pap test screening should start at age 21. After the first test:

• Women ages 21 through 29 who are at average risk should have a Pap test every 3 years. HPV testing is not recommended for this age group.
• Women ages 30 through 65 have the option to get the HPV test every 5 years with or without a Pap test.
• If you or your sexual partner has other new partners, you should have a Pap test every 3 years.
• Women ages 65 through 70 can stop having Pap tests as long as they have had 3 normal tests within the past 10 years.
• Women who have been treated for precancer (cervical dysplasia) should continue to have Pap tests for 20 years after treatment or until age 65, whichever is longer.
• Women who have had a hysterectomy that preserves the cervix (called a supracervical hysterectomy) should continue to have Pap test screening according to the guidelines listed above.
• Women who have had their cervix removed at the time of hysterectomy no longer need Pap tests, unless the hysterectomy was done for cervical cancer or pre-cancer in which cases screening should be continued.

Talk with your provider about how often you should have a Pap test or HPV test.

References

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Committee on Adolescent Health Care, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Immunization, Infectious Disease, and Public Health Preparedness Expert Work Group. Human Papillomavirus Vaccination: ACOG Committee Opinion, Number 809. Obstet Gynecol. 2020;136(2):e15-e21. PMID: 32732766 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32732766/.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV vaccine schedule and dosing. www.cdc.gov/hpv/hcp/schedules-recommendations.html. Updated November 1, 2021. Accessed September 14, 2023.

Salcedo MP, Phoolcharoen N, Schmeler KM. Intraepithelial neoplasia of the lower genital tract (cervix, vagina, vulva): etiology, screening, diagnosis, management. In: Lobo RA, Gershenson DM, Lentz GM, Valea FA, eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 29.

US Preventive Services Task Force; Curry SJ, Krist AH, Owens DK, et al. Screening for cervical cancer: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. JAMA. 2018;320(7):674-686. PMID: 30140884 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30140884/.

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Review Date: 8/23/2023  

Reviewed By: LaQuita Martinez, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Emory Johns Creek Hospital, Alpharetta, GA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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