According to the National Cervical Cancer Coalition (NCCC) about 12,000 women in the U.S. get cervical cancer each year. It’s rare for young women to be diagnosed, but it is possible.
The NCCC provides information, support and advocacy around HPV and cervical cancer. They offer media campaigns and resources online for cervical cancer awareness month. The Women’s Center on campus will also offer free information for students.
“There often aren’t any warning signs until it [cervical cancer] becomes more advanced,” Fred Wyand, Director of Communications for NCCC, said. “Some women might see things like abnormal bleeding but even with that it can be confused with what you might experience with other conditions.”
Cervical cancer is cancer in the cervix, the lower narrow end of the uterus. The cervix connects the vagina to the upper part of the uterus. All women are at risk for cervical cancer but it most often occurs in women over 30. The human papillomavirus virus (HPV) is the main cause of the cancer. HPV is a sexually transmitted disease. At least half of sexually active people will have HPV at some point in their lives, but few women will get cervical cancer.
"Cervical cancer can be prevented with HPV vaccines for all females age 26 and under and by having regular cervical screenings," Wyand said.
Other prevention tips include seeing the doctor regularly, using condoms during sex and limiting the number of sexual partners. There are many types of HPV. Usually HPV will go away without medical help, but if it does not, it may cause cervical cancer.
In addition to having HPV, some things that may increase your chances of getting cervical cancer are smoking, having HIV, using birth control pills for a long time or having given birth to three or more children. If your doctor says that you have cervical cancer, ask to be referred to a gynecologic oncologist. This doctor will work with you to create a treatment plan.
"For college students, it's important they know that the virus [HPV] underlines cervical cancer," Wyand said. "HPV is almost universal. It's most often harmless, but in some cases causes problems. Cervical cancer is virtually always preventable! Vaccines and screenings are key."
For more information about cervical cancer please visit www.nccc-online.org.
