Cervical Cancer and Vaccines Imelda De Vera Guimary, APN Division of Gynecologic Oncology University Hospital

The Cervix It is the lower, narrow end of the uterus (or womb)

Cervical Cancer Each year, approximately 12,000 women in the US get cervical cancer Among the leading causes of death worldwide Used to be the leading cause of cancer death in the US In the past 40 years, there has been a major decrease in the number of deaths from cervical cancer DUE TO…

PAP tests! One of the most reliable and effective screening tests available All women should start getting regular Pap tests at age 21 Cervical cancer is the only gynecologic cancer with an effective screening test The Pap test ONLY screens for cervical cancer

Pap Tests (cont’d) Who should get it and how often? Women between the ages of 21-29 should get a Pap test every 3 years Women 30-65 should get a HPV test with a Pap test every 5 year IF you are 65+, ask your doctor If you had a hysterectomy, you no longer need to get them The HPV test looks for HPV, and can be used with the Pap test (co-testing)

Types of Pap tests Conventional Pap = samples collected from the cervix using a speculum and then smeared onto a slide directly Best to be used when not menstruating Liquid based cytology = uses an arrow-shaped brush rather than a speculum to obtain a sample of cells and then suspended in a bottle of preservatives while transported to the library Can be done while woman is menstruating

Who get cervical cancer? Occurs most often in women over the age of 30 All women with a cervix are at risk Women who have had a total hysterectomy are not at risk

What can cause or increase the risk of getting cervical cancer? Human papillomavirus (HPV) – a sexually transmitted infection (STI) Smoking Having HIV Using birth control pills for a long time Having given birth to three or more children

What are the signs and symptoms? Vaginal bleeding (especially after sex) Abnormal discharge from the vagina

HPV Vaccines There are two types of HPV vaccines: What do they do? Gardasil (Merck) Cervarix (GSK) What do they do? They prevent cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers Taken in 3 doses

Who should get the HPV vaccines? Recommended for: 11 and 12 year old girls Females between the ages of 13-26 years who have never received any of the shots when they were younger Also for boys and young men

Vaginal and Vulvar cancers Imelda De Vera Guimary, APN Division of Gynecologic Oncology University Hostpial

The Vagina and Vulva Vagina = the birth canal Vulva = outer part of the female genitals (the labia)

Who gets vaginal and vulvar cancers? Approximately 1,000 women in the US every year (vaginal) Approximately 3,500 women in the US every year (vulvar) Rarer types but still a sizeable portion

What causes or increases the risk of getting vaginal OR vulvar cancer? Many similarities with cervical cancer: HPV Smoking HIV Some different: Being aged 50 or older (vulvar) Exposure before birth (while in the womb) to Diethystilbestrol (DES), a man-made form of estrogen

Signs and symptoms of Vaginal Abnormal vaginal discharge or bleeding Bleeding may be: Heavy or long Occurring outside of menstruation or between periods Occurring after menopause Pain in pelvis or abdomen, especially when urinating or having sex

Signs and Symptoms of Vulvar Itching, burning, bleeding on vulva Color changes or rashes, warts, sores on skin of vulva Pain in pelvis, especially when urinating or having sex

KEY POINTS Cervical cancer is the only gynecologic cancer with an effective screening test (Pap) The Pap test ONLY screens for cervical cancer HPV vaccines can help prevent cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers Smoking and HPV can increase the risk of getting these cancers Call your doctor after experiencing any of the warning signs and symptoms for two weeks or longer