New Age of Cervical Cancer and HPV: Prevention and Early Detection

We always consider cervical cancer as one of the most preventable types of cancer, but it affects millions of people around the globe every day. Having the knowledge of how HPV works, what HPV vaccines do, and how modern screening techniques give people the power to help themselves stay safe and encourage their friends and family to seek care sooner.

The Mechanism by which HPV Causes Cervical Cancer

The high-risk strains of HPV, e.g., HPV-16 & HPV-18, change the DNA of cervical cells over many years without the individual knowing it. This continues to occur through a chronic infection and creates the genetic changes required for cervical cancer to develop. Understanding this prolonged process helps to define why screening programs for HPV infections towards the prevention of cervical cancer are so important.

The Next-Generation HPV Vaccinations

The new vaccines protect against up to nine different types of HPV that are known to cause nearly 90% of cervical cancer cases. These vaccines also add protection from other cancers related to the HPV virus and help lower the overall prevalence of HPV in communities. To provide the most effective protection against these diseases, it is essential to begin vaccination at an early age.

Screening Tools Other than Pap Tests

The development of an HPV DNA test allows for screening of the high-risk types of HPV prior to the development of cervical abnormalities. Liquid-based cytology helps in identifying multiple HPV types with a single sample, which offers significant cost-saving opportunities. Therefore, initiating screening for people around 25 years of age allows earlier detection and prevention of cervical cancer.

Bridging the Screening Gap in Communities

There are generally lower screening rates for rural, low-income, and minority populations, but mobile clinics, self-sampling kits, and culturally appropriate education can help in increasing the participation for screening. The use of self-sampling eliminates many barriers to screening, like fear of the process and procedures, cost, and embarrassment.

Long-Term Treatment and Survivorship

Thanks to advances in diagnosis and treatment, the survival rate for women with cervical cancer has improved greatly. Post-treatment care includes monitoring for recurrence of the disease, addressing side effects from treatment, and supporting the psychological health of survivors. The use of multidisciplinary clinics provides women with a higher quality of life in the long run.

If women are proactive and knowledgeable about the disease, cervical cancer can largely be prevented through vaccination and early detection/diagnosis via screening programs. Combining preventive strategies with general knowledge of the disease will reduce a woman's chance of developing cervical cancer, as well as improve her overall health for the long term.