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Minority Women's Health
Minority Women's Health

Cervical Cancer

There is a new vaccine called Gardasil that can help prevent infection with the types of HPV viruses that cause most cervical cancers. The vaccine has been approved for girls and women ages 9-26. It is best to get the vaccine before you start having sex. The vaccine does not replace the need to wear latex condoms to lower your risk of getting other types of HPV and other sexually transmitted diseases.

The cervix connects the uterus (where a baby grows) to the vagina (the birth canal). Cervical cancer is a disease in which cancer cells are found in the tissues of the cervix. Before cancer cells are found on the cervix, abnormal cells start to appear. Cancer that goes untreated starts to grow and spread more deeply into the cervix and to nearby areas. Cancer of the cervix usually grows over a period of time.

If found early enough, abnormal cells can be treated before they turn into cancer. Your doctor finds these cells by doing a Pap test.

Get a Pap test every one to three years if you have been sexually active, starting at no later than at 21 years old. After your first Pap test, you should have a Pap test at least once every three years. Talk to your doctor about how often you should have a Pap test and pelvic exam.

There are things you can do to reduce your risk. Limit your sex partners and always use latex condoms.

Almost all cervical cancers are caused by two types of human papillomavirus (HPV), a common virus that is spread through sex. Other types of HPV can cause genital warts. Many types of HPV do not cause problems at all. HPV can’t be cured, but you can talk about treatment options with your doctor if abnormal cells grow.

The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) program provides free or low-cost Pap testing to women who don't have health insurance. To learn more about this program, please contact the CDC at 1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636).

Publications

  1. Federal resource  American Indian Health - This web site is an information portal for and about the health of native peoples of the United States.

    http://americanindianhealth.nlm.nih.gov/

  2. Federal resource  PDF file  Cervical Cancer - This fact sheet about cervical cancer is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Campaign. The campaign helps women get the facts about gynecologic cancer, providing important “inside knowledge” about their bodies and health.

    http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/pdf/Cervical_FS_0308.pdf

  3. Federal resource  Cervical Cancer (PDQ®): Screening - This page-by-page explanation of cervical cancer screening provides information about the risk factors for cervical cancer and the effectiveness of common screening methods.

    http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/pdq/screening/cervical/patient/

  4. Federal resource  Comparing Cervical Cancer by Race and Ethnicity - This web page from the CDC lists updated statistics about cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates among ethnic minorities.

    http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/statistics/race.htm

  5. Federal resource  Gynecologic Cancer Awareness - This site is designed to raise awareness about the five major gynecologic cancers (cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, and vulvar). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides information and educational materials for women and health care providers.

    http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/gynecologic.htm

  6. Federal resource  What You Need To Know About™ Cancer of the Cervix - This booklet on cervical cancer discusses possible causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, emotional issues, and questions to ask the doctor. It includes a glossary of terms and other resources.

    http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/cervix

  7. A Woman's Guide to Understanding HPV and Cervical Cancer (Copyright © ARHP) - This brochure educates women about HPV and cervical cancer, including new technologies, with focused information for women currently undergoing screening.

    http://72.3.159.179/Publications-and-Resources/Patient-Resources/printed-material...

  8. Detailed Guide: Cervical Cancer (Copyright © ACS) - This is a detailed guide with information about cervical cancer. It covers information about its causes, risk factors, prevention, early diagnosis, staging, treatment, and information about where to seek financial assistance.

    http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2_3x.asp?dt=8

  9. PDF file  FAQs about Cervical Cancer/HPV Vaccine Access in the U.S. (Copyright © ASHA) - This fact sheet contains information about HPV vaccines, who produces them, the process for vaccine recommendations and guidelines, and the most effective distribution methods and age for administering the vaccine.

    http://www.ashastd.org/pdfs/HPV_FAQ_032007.pdf

  10. National Cervical Cancer Public Education Campaign (Copyright © Gynecologic Cancer Foundation) - The National Cervical Cancer Public Education Campaign gives women and their doctors information about what causes cervical cancer and the best ways of preventing it or detecting it.

    http://www.cervicalcancercampaign.org

Organizations

  1. Federal resource  Cancer.gov
  2. American Cancer Society
  3. American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)
  4. Gynecologic Cancer Foundation
  5. National Cervical Cancer Coalition (NCCC)
  6. Native American Cancer Research

Federal resource = Indicates Federal Resources

Current as of December 2007

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