News about cancer is often times startling, but when it comes to cervical cancer, there is good news. While there’ll be just under 10,000 cases of invasive cervical cancer diagnosed in 2007, the past several decades have seen a steady decline in those diagnoses, specifically in African-American women. Still, the chance of getting cervical cancer is 30 percent higher in African American women and they will be twice as likely to die from the disease.

So, we are cautiously optimistic about our cervical cancer efforts, but how have we been successful,over the years, in lowering its numbers?

Screening.

The best way to screen for cervical cancer is to have regular Pap screenings. This test detects lesions on the cervix that have not yet spread to other areas. The Pap test is not perfect, however, and abnormal cell results can be detected even when there are none. Fortunately, most cervical pre-cancers develop slowly, so nearly all cases can be prevented if a woman is screened regularly.

The primary cause of cervical cancer is infection with certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a sexually transmitted virus and women who begin having sex at an early age or who have many sexual partners are at an increased risk. Persistence of a cervical infection and progression to cancer may be influenced by other factors as well such as cigarette smoking or poor nutrition.Cervical cancer symptoms usually don’t appear until abnormal cervical cells become cancerous and invade nearby tissue. When this happens, the most common result is vaginal bleeding. Bleeding may start and stop between regular menstrual periods, or it may occur after sexual intercourse or even after a pelvic exam. In addition, menstrual bleeding may last longer and be heavier than usual. Bleeding after menopause may also be a symptom.

Last year, the Food and Drug Administration approved Gardisil – the FIRST vaccine developed to prevent cervical cancer. However, women still need to get their regular Pap tests because the vaccine targets only the most common forms of HPV. The vaccine does not provide protection for women that may already be infected with HPV.

For local information on cervical cancer and HPV, call the American Cancer Society Sankofa Project office at 414.374.9445. For 24-hour access to a cancer specialist, call 800.227.2345 or go online to www.cancer.org.