Cervical cancer survivor

Teen behavior can boost cervical cancer risk

A bout 12,800 American women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer this year, and nearly 4,800 will die from it, according to the American Cancer Society. But research now shows that the disease's risk factors can be traced to a woman's behavior as a teenager. Vicki Harrison of NEA's Health Information Network details what school employees and students should know about the disease.

What is cancer of the cervix?

The cervix is the part of a woman's body that connects the vagina and uterus. During birth, the cervix dilates and allows a baby to pass from the womb to the birth canal.

Cancer of the cervix doesn't happen suddenly. Over time, normal cells change to become precancerous and ultimately cancerous, a process that can unfold within several months or many years. In some cases, precancerous cells go away without ever developing into cancer But, more often, they need to be treated.

Cervical cancer used to be a common cause of cancer death among American women. But, between 1955 and 1992, cervical cancer deaths declined by a staggering 74 percent. This drastic change is attributed to the use of the Pap test, or Pap smear, for early detection. The American Cancer Society recommends that women begin yearly Pap tests at age 18 or when they become sexually active.

What causes cancer of the cervix?

Contracting the human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common risk factor. Sexually transmitted types of HPV-often called "genital warts '. -cause raised, bumpy warts on the skin of the genital organs and anal area. An estimated 5.5 million Americans are infected with HPV each yearabout 20 million already have it. HPV infection can cause changes in cervical cells that can be detected with a Pap test.

Other risk factors include smoking, HIV infection, limited access to health care, and diets low in fruits and vegetables.

Are birth control pills linked to cervical cancer?

Research suggests that there may be a slight risk increase for women who use oral contraceptives for five or more years. Because many teenage girls use oral contraceptives-both to prevent pregnancy and in some cases to reduce acne-more research on the link is needed. Meanwhile, the American Cancer Society believes that women and teenagers should discuss with their health care providers whether the benefits of using oral contraceptives outweigh the risks.

How can cancer of the cervix be prevented?

Most cervical cancers can be prevented by not smoking, delaying the onset of sexual intercourse, limiting the number of sexual partners, and avoiding intercourse with people who've had multiple partners.

Condoms are highly recommended for protection against sexually transmitted diseases,

but research shows that condoms cannot protect against HPV infection.

This is because HPV can be contracted by skin-to-skin contact with any HPV-infected area of the body, such as the genital area not covered by a condom. The virus can also be passed without visible symptoms and can be present for years before symptoms appear.

Having regular Pap tests to detect HPV infection and precancerous cells also helps prevent cervical cancer-treatment of these conditions can stop its progress. Most invasive cervical cancers are found in women who haven't had regular Pap tests.

What can educators do to help?

"Educators should include discussions of cervical health as part of every health or reproduction lesson and inform their students that pregnancies and multiple sexual partners before the age of 20 increase the risk of cervical disease," says cancer survivor Carol Ann Armenti, a psychologist and director of the Center for Cervical Health in Toms River, New Jersey. "What young women do at early age can put them at great risk for cervical disease, and they need to be aware of that. "