Silver Cross to Offer Program on Cervical Cancer & HPV Jan. 30

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, the perfect time to learn more about health issues related to cervical cancer, human papilloma virus (HPV) and the importance of early detection.

That’s why Silver Cross Hospital is hosting HPV 101: Understanding HPV, Cervical Cancer and Beyond, Thursday, Jan. 30, at 5 p.m. in the hospital’s Conference Center. The lecture will feature gynecologic oncologist Dr. Nita Lee and MaryEllyn Witt, M.S., R.N., with the UChicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center at Silver Cross.

According to the National Cervical Cancer Coalition, more than 13,000 women in the U.S. are diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer each year, but the disease is preventable with vaccination and appropriate screening.

The most common symptoms are abnormal vaginal bleeding, unusual vaginal discharge and pain during sex. These symptoms could be caused by conditions other than cervical cancer, so it is important that you see a health care professional right away if you have any of these symptoms.

Vaccination

HPV vaccines can help prevent infection from both high-risk HPV types that can lead to cervical cancer and low-risk types that cause genital warts. The Centers for Disease Control recommends all boys and girls get the HPV vaccine at age 11 or 12 as the vaccine produces a stronger immune response when taken during the pre-teen years. For this reason, up until age 14, only two doses are required. The vaccine is available for all males and females through age 45 but for those 15 and older, a full three-dose series is recommended.

Testing

A Pap test can find cell changes to the cervix caused by HPV. HPV tests find the virus and help healthcare providers know which women are at highest risk for cervical cancer. Pap smear testing is recommended in women 21 to 65 years every three years or, for women age 30 to 65 years who want to lengthen the screening interval, a combination of Pap and HPV tests every five years. Each woman should ask her healthcare provider how often she should be screened and which tests are right for her.

Risk Factor for Cervical Cancer

Infection by the human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most important risk factor for cervical cancer. Here are some important facts about HPV.

• HPV can infect cells on the surface of the skin, and those lining the genitals, anus, mouth and throat, but not the blood or internal organs such as the heart or lungs.
• HPV can spread from one person to another during skin-to-skin contact. One way HPV spreads is through sexual activity, including vaginal, anal, and even oral sex.
• Different types of HPV cause warts on different parts of the body. Some cause common warts on the hands and feet; others tend to cause warts on the lips or tongue.

Infection with HPV is common, and in most people the body can clear the infection by itself. Although there is currently no cure for HPV infection, there are ways to treat the abnormal cell growth that HPV causes.

Sign up for This Free Lecture

For more information on this topic, register for HPV 101 at Silver Cross on Thursday, Jan. 30 by visiting silvercross.org