Transcript Breast Cancer - Screening for Life

Cervical Cancer and HPV
April 2010
Learning Objectives
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Cervical cancer facts
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HPV
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HPV & cervical cancer
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Risks
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HPV vaccine
Sometimes there are things that
may be hard to talk about…
But not talking about them is even harder
Cervical Cancer
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Cancer is a disease that starts when cells in
one part of the body begin to grow out of
control
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Cervical cancer is the #2 cancer killer
worldwide in women, but only the 11th in
Canada
Cervical Cancer Facts
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In 2009, 160 new cases of
cervical cancer were
expected in Alberta
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40 deaths due to cervical
cancer were expected in
Alberta in 2009
More Cervical Cancer Facts
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Cervical cancer is almost entirely
preventable with regular Pap tests
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If cervical cell changes are found early and
treated, they will not develop into cancer
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Regular Pap tests have reduced the
number of cervical cases and deaths by 1/3
Approximately 30% of eligible
women in Alberta are not getting
regular Pap tests
Cervical Cancer and First Nations
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Some Canadian research shows that:
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Screening rates are lower for Aboriginal women
Cervical cancer rates are higher for Aboriginal women
than the general population in some provinces
Cervical cancer mortality (death) rates are higher in First
Nations women than the general population
http://www.naho.ca/firstnations/english/documents/research/
FNC_CervicalCancerLiteratureReview.pdf
What is HPV?
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Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
is a virus
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There are many types of HPV
that can affect different parts
of the body
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About 45 types of HPV are
spread by skin-to-skin sexual
contact
HPV
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HPV is very
common
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Over 70% of
sexually active
people will get
HPV in their
lifetime
HPV causes cervical cancer
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About 15 types of high risk HPV can cause
cell changes on a woman's cervix if the HPV
infection does not go away
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If untreated these cell changes can develop
into cervical cancer over many years
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Some other types of low risk HPV can cause
genital warts
HPV causes cervical cancer
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For most women their bodies fight off HPV
and they DO NOT develop abnormal cells
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A regular Pap test is the only way to find
abnormal cells
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If found early, abnormal cells can be followed-up
closely
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If needed, these abnormal cells can be treated
so cervical cancer does not develop
How does someone get HPV?
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HPV spreads easily through skin-to-skin contact in
the genital area (with a partner of either sex)
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touching
oral sexual activity
intercourse
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It can go undetected for many years
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It is hard to know when someone was
infected or who infected them
How do I know if I have HPV?
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Most often a woman doesn’t know
HPV testing (DNA test):
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Can determine type of HPV at time of testing
Helps decide whether women with borderline cell
changes should have more specialized tests
Not recommended for women younger than 30
Not currently used regularly in Alberta
Talk to your healthcare provider for more
information
Can HPV be treated?
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Most HPV infections will go away on their
own within 2 years
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The HPV infection itself can’t be treated to
make it go away but,
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abnormal cell changes can be treated to prevent
cervical cancer
talk to your healthcare provider about treatment
for genital warts
Risk Factors
All women who have ever had sexual
contact are at risk for developing
cervical cancer
 Women who have never had a Pap test
or do not have Pap tests regularly are
at the greatest risk of cervical cancer
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What can women do to reduce
their risk of HPV?
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Find out more about the
HPV vaccine
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Practice safer sex:
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Limit the number of sexual partners
Use condoms (they offer some
protection against HPV)
Start sexual activity later in life
What can women do to reduce their
risk of developing cervical cancer?
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Have Pap tests regularly starting at age 21
(or 3 years after becoming sexually active,
whichever is later)
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Follow-up on any abnormal Pap test results
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Protect themselves from HPV (see previous
slide)
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Limit tobacco use & exposure to second hand
smoke
HPV Vaccine
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GARDISIL® HPV Vaccine protects against:
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2 types of high risk HPV (16 & 18) that cause
about 70% of cervical cancer
2 types of low risk HPV (6 & 11) that cause 90%
of genital warts
The vaccine works best when given before a
girls becomes sexually active
HPV Vaccine
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Alberta Health & Wellness offers
a provincial HPV Immunization
Program free of charge to:
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Grade 5 girls
Grade 9 girls (until 2012)
For more information see:
www.health.alberta.ca/health-info/imm-HPV.html
HPV vaccine- do I still need Pap tests?
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YES, you still need Pap
tests regularly even if you
are vaccinated against HPV
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The HPV vaccine does not
protect against all the
types of HPV that cause
cervical cancer
Remember
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HPV is common and most people don’t
know they have it
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Having Pap tests regularly:
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Can find abnormal cell changes early
Helps prevent most cervical cancer
Is important even if you are vaccinated
against HPV
Go for regular Pap tests!
Women, as the givers of life have a
responsibility to the Creator, themselves,
their family and the community to maintain
their physical, spiritual, emotional
and mental well-being
Questions?
For more information contact:
Cancer Screening Programs
Phone 1-866-727-3926
Web screeningforlife.ca