Cervical cancer develops when cells covering the surface of the cervix stop dividing and dying normally. Instead, unnecessary new cells develop rapidly and damaged or old cells remain, causing a buildup of abnormal cells that eventually produces symptoms of cervical cancer. Diagnosing cervical cancer involves detecting this buildup (a growth or tumor) of cells, examining Pap smears, or performing a colposcopy.
What Causes Cervical Cancer?
The human papillomavirus (HPV) is known to cause cervical cancer, as well as cancer of the vulva, penis, anus, vagina or throat (oropharynx). Specifically, it is the HPV16 and HPV18 virus that is responsible for over 50 percent of cervical cancer cases.
Although studies have shown that nearly half of all women have been exposed to the human papillomavirus by age 50, most of these infections simply clear up without treatment or causing symptoms. When an HPV infection doesn’t resolve itself independent of medical attention, the risk of the infection evolving into cervical cancer or other type of cancer is extremely high.
According to the American Cancer Society, additional risk factors for HPV cancer include:
- Smoking
- Chlamydia infection
- Obesity
- Long-term use of birth control pills
- Having a child before age 17
Without question, the most significant risk factor of cervical cancer is failing to get vaccinated with the HPV vaccine.
What is the HPV Vaccine?
Approved in 2006 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the HPV vaccine Gardasil provides nearly 100 percent protection against HPV infections, and the associated cancers and genital warts. The Center for Disease Control strongly recommends girls and boys around 11 or 12 years old receive the three-dose series of the HPV vaccine (applicable through age 26). It is necessary to give preteen children the vaccine simply because it needs administered before they have been exposed to HPV.
The only reason why the HPV vaccine is age-limited is because the majority of people over the age of 26 have probably been exposed to the HPV virus.
For more information about the HPV virus, cervical cancer or dosing details regarding the HPV vaccine Gardasile, call Advanced OB GYN Associates today to learn how you can start protecting your children or yourself against cervical cancer.
