Cervical cancer is one of the few cancers that is almost entirely preventable, yet thousands of women in the U.S. are diagnosed every year. It’s also the third most common type of cancer in women worldwide.
January is Cervical Health Awareness Month, a national effort focused on educating women about cervical cancer and highlighting the importance of early detection through regular screening.
Scott E. Jordan, MD, FACOG, a gynecologic and surgical oncologist with the Broward Health Physician Group and the principal physician administering several important clinical trials, can discuss the American Cancer Society’s new screening guidelines, where self-collected vaginal specimens are now acceptable for cervical cancer screenings.
The FDA approved a new test (The Teal Wand) for an at-home self-collection vs. a pelvic exam and speculum in a doctor’s office. The vaginal specimen is sent to a lab to screen for the presence of HPV and high-risk types of the virus that cause cervical cancer.
HPV is one of the leading causes of cervical cancer, and for decades, HPV testing has only been available in tandem with an in-person pap smear. According to the ACS, women at average risk for cervical cancer should start screening at age 25 and continue until at least age 65.
What makes cervical cancer particularly dangerous is that early stages usually produce no symptoms. By the time warning signs such as abnormal bleeding or pelvic pain appear, the disease may already be advanced. This is why doctors stress that screening, not symptoms, is the primary defense.
With regular screening, vaccination, and timely follow-up care, most cases can be prevented entirely.