Caught early, cervical cancer is highly preventable, curable
Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable and highly curable of all cancers when caught in its early stages. Across the U.S., 13,000 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer this year and 4,100 women annually will succumb to the disease. Fatalities from cervical cancer are largely due to lapses in screening, which result in the cancer being far too advanced for successful treatment by the time of diagnosis.
Since the introduction of the Pap test, a widely used and effective tool for cervical cancer screening, more than 50 years ago, the incidence of cervical cancer in the U.S. has dropped by 75 percent.
This test, generally done as an integral part of a woman’s yearly gynecological exam, can detect slight changes in the cells that may signify abnormalities and pre-cancerous conditions. These changes are nearly 100 percent curable when caught early.
“At Family Health Council, annual screening for cervical and breast cancer is a key component to the annual exam we recommend for all adult women and all sexually active teens,” said Lou Ann Weil, director of cancer screening programs.
Recently the American Cancer Society announced new recommendations for less frequent cervical cancer screening for some women. The ACS now suggests that older women may consider Pap tests every two to three years, and women who are not sexually active may wait until age 21 before having their first Pap test and gynecologic exam.
The ACS cautions that only women who have had normal Pap tests for three consecutive years would be candidates for less frequent screening with the traditional Pap test.
“These new recommendations can be misleading and may do disservice to women,” Weil said. “We recognize that for many women, the recommended yearly gynecological visit is also important to help diagnose and treat other health issues affecting women, including breast cancer, heart disease, hypertension, anemia and diabetes.
“We are concerned that many women already do not have annual exams, so these new guidelines are likely to increase confusion and cause some women to delay care,” Weil added. “If women are screened less frequently for these diseases, we can expect to see the increases in the rate and stage of breast and cervical cancer as well as damage to reproductive organs as a result of possible sexually transmitted diseases that have gone undetected and untreated for far longer periods of time.”
There are a number of factors that may place a woman at higher risk for cervical cancer. These include smoking, compromised immune system and multiple sexual partners. Yet, all women are still at risk for this disease. Since many women may not be aware of their increased risk, this is another reason why regular screening is important.
In keeping with Family Health Council’s mission to provide high-quality reproductive health care that is innovative and responsive to the needs of women, each of Family Health Council’s 25 medical offices, including the Uniontown office, continue previously recommend yearly gynecological exams and cancer screening for women beginning at age 18.
In partnership with Pennsylvania’s Breast and Cervical Treatment Program, the Healthy Woman program and the Komen Pittsburgh Race for the Cure, Family Health Council is able to offer breast and cervical cancer screening at no cost to eligible women age 40 and older who are uninsured or underinsured.
“Women who are age 18 or older/or sexually active, absolutely need an annual exam each year in order to maintain good reproductive health. They also need access to and reliable information on contraceptive options. We provide that and more,” said Lugene Rossini, Family Health Council’s Uniontown office manager.
The Uniontown office provides comprehensive and confidential gynecological care, breast and cervical cancer screening, birth control, emergency contraception, pregnancy testing, prenatal care, testing, treatment and counseling for sexually transmitted diseases and a state-licensed adoption program. Family Health Council participates in most insurance plans, offers reduced fees based on income and family size and provides services at no cost to teens 17 and under.
For more information on any Family Health Council program or service, call the Uniontown office at 724-437-1582.