Cervical cancer deaths have declined in recent years, largely due to better screening. Still, almost 14,000 new cases of invasive cervical cancer will be diagnosed per year in the U.S. And more than 4,000 women will die from it.

“Women can reduce their risk of developing advanced cervical cancer by getting screened regularly,” says Dr. John Calvin Channell, an OB-GYN and medical director for BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee. “When you catch cervical cancer early, it’s much easier to treat.”

Why cervical screening is important

Dr. Channell: Regular screening can identify precancerous cells before they develop into cancer. Doctors typically follow evidence-based clinical guidelines when it comes to cervical screening. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends the following tests:

• Females aged 21-29: a Pap smear (also known as cervical cytology) every 3 years.
• Females aged 30-65: a Pap smear every 3 years, plus HPV test every 5 years or HPV/Pap test every 5 years.
• Females age 65+: talk to your doctor

What’s the difference between a Pap smear and the HPV test?

Dr. Channell: Both tests require a doctor to collect a few cells and put them on a slide for examination. But your doctor is looking for different things when they examine the samples. With a Pap smear, your doctor is looking for abnormal cells from your cervix that could develop into cancer. With an HPV test, they’re looking for evidence of HPV that could cause cancer.

HPV isn’t the only cause of cervical cancer, but it causes the vast majority of cervical cancer cases. In fact, two strains of HPV cause 70% of all cervical cancer cases worldwide.

The USPSTF recently released new draft guidelines about cervical cancer screening. For the first time, the guidelines address self-collection HPV kits. These kits may in the future allow women to collect their own HPV sample at home and mail it for evaluation. This may give a new option to those who may be unwilling or unable to do a traditional screening.

If you opt for this method in the future, don’t forget to keep up with your regular visits to your doctor. Pelvic exams are important for identifying a variety of health issues besides cervical cancer.

The importance of HPV vaccination

Dr. Channell: It’s important to get vaccinated for HPV. These vaccines have been a gamechanger when it comes to preventing cervical cancer. It also helps prevent other kinds of cancer caused by HPV, including head and neck cancers, throat cancer, and colorectal cancer.

HPV vaccination can start as early as age 9, and it’s recommended for everyone, male and female, through age 26. Adults between the ages of 27 and 45 should talk with their doctor to decide if they should get vaccinated.

“The HPV vaccine is probably the most important cancer prevention tool available today,” Dr. Channell says. “I urge everyone to talk with their doctor about getting vaccinated.”

More from Dr. Channell on WellTuned

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