Cervical Cancer Facts & Screening Guidelines

Cervical Cancer: Facts & Guidelines

Cervical cancer can strike any woman at any age. Factors such as sexual activity can increase your risk even before you are 18 years old. Moreover, you may have cervical cancer and not know it because you do not experience symptoms. Pap tests are the most effective test to discover cervical cancer early. They may even provide an early warning of pre-cancerous changes, allowing you to get treatment early, when it is usually most successful. Here are some things you should know about cervical cancer.

Risk Factors

Multiple sexual partners or a male partner who has had multiple partners
History of genital warts or HPV
Smoker
Weakened immune system
Previous abnormal Pap test
History of sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs)
Mother took DES while pregnant with you

HPV (Human Papillomavirus)

Many experts agree that HPV is the main cause for changes in cervical cells that result in dysplasia (cellular changes that are sometimes a forerunner to cancer). If left untreated, this condition may lead to invasive cervical cancer
It is a sexually-transmitted disease (STD)
80-90% of women with cervical dysplasia have an HPV infection
There are 80 different viral strains of HPV, but only several strains are responsible for causing cervical cancer. HPV may also cause genital warts
HPV does not cause symptoms; you may not know you are infected

Prevention/Facts

Follow cervical cancer screening guidelines
Limit number of sexual partners
Use condoms. Birth control pills do not protect you from STDs
Quit smoking
Eat 5 servings of fruits and/or vegetables per day, especially those with Beta carotene, folic acid, and Vitamins A and C

Facts of Cervical Cancer

The Pap test is the most effective screening test for the early detection of cervical cancer
Slow growing. Cervical cancer can be found at a pre-cancerous stage, when it is easier to treat
Does not cause symptoms until it has spread to other areas of the body
When symptoms of invasive cervical cancer do develop, they include:
- Bleeding between periods
- A heavier than usual period, or bleeding with intercourse, douching, or a pelvic exam
- Increased vaginal discharge

Screening guidelines:

Pap Tests are recommended annually beginning at age 18, or younger if the woman is sexually active.
After a woman has three consecutive normal Pap tests, she can then have a Pap test every three years.

Services available through the Cancer Prevention Institute:

The Breast & Cervical Cancer Early Detection Project at the Cancer Prevention Institute offers free Pap tests to those women who are eligible. Call 937-297-6971 or toll free 1-866-838-8973.

View schedule of upcoming screening dates and locations.

The Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Project (BCCP) is a service provided by the Ohio Department of Health funded through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Cancer Prevention Institute administers the Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Project in the following nine counties:

Champaign

Clark

Darke

Greene

Logan

Miami

Montgomery

Preble

Shelby

Services are available through local providers.
Appointments can be made by calling the Cancer Prevention Institute.

Services Provided:

Clinical Breast Exams

Mammograms, screening and diagnostic

Breast Ultrasound

Surgical Consultation

Fine Needle Aspiration

Breast Biopsy (limited coverage for this service)

Pap tests

Pelvic exams

Colposcopy and biopsy

Eligibility:

Low income

No health care insurance

Age 40 and over for Pap tests and clinical breast exams

Age 50 and over for screening mammograms

Women diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer, or a pre-cancerous condition, through the Breast and Cervical Cancer Project may be eligible to apply for the Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act Funds to cover the cost of treatment.

Where do I get more information?
Call the BCCP at the Cancer Prevention Institute
at (937) 297-6971 or toll free at 1-866-838-8973.

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Cancer Prevention Institute 4100 S. Kettering Blvd. Dayton, OH 45439 937-293-8508 1-877-274-4543 (toll free) Click here to email us

Cancer Prevention Institute
4100 S. Kettering Blvd.
Dayton, OH 45439
937-293-8508
1-877-274-4543 (toll free)
Click here to email us