Transcript WIG PPT Template - Women in Government

HPV & Cervical Cancer
Frequently Asked Questions
HPV & Cervical Cancer Prevention
2009 International Toolkit
What is Cervical Cancer?
2
 Cervical cancer is cancer of the
cervix, the part of the uterus or
womb that opens to the vagina.
 Before widespread use of the Pap
test in the 1950s, cervical cancer
was the leading cause of cancer
death in American women.
 Today in the U.S., the Pap test has
helped reduce cervical cancer death
rates by 74%.
Burden of Disease
3
 Worldwide, cervical cancer affects 490,000 women and
causes more than 270,000 deaths per year.
 80% of women dying from cervical cancer reside in
developing countries.
 In the U.S., cervical cancer affects more than 11,000
women and causes approximately 4,000 deaths per year.
Barriers to Prevention
4
 Cervical cancer disproportionately affects minority women
and those with lower income.
 According to a National Cancer Institute survey of 3,000
women:
• Only 40% had heard of HPV.
• Less than 50% knew of HPV’s link to cervical cancer.
 Many developing countries lack the access to and availability of
vaccines and screening technologies.
What causes cervical cancer?
5
 A virus – the human papillomavirus, or HPV – is the primary
cause of cervical cancer.
 HPV is a highly common sexually transmitted virus that
usually goes away by itself without symptoms or treatment.
 50% to 80% of all men and women will have HPV at some
point in their lives.
What causes cervical cancer?
(Continued)
6
 Most infections will not develop into cervical cancer, are only temporary
and will go away without treatment.
 Two types of HPV:
• Low-risk – can cause genital warts.
• High-risk – can lead to cancer. If the infection persists, pre-cancerous
cells may form.
 Cervical cancer may develop if:
• A woman’s immune system does not destroy the infection and precancerous cells.
• The pre-cancerous cells are not found and treated.
What are the risk factors
For HPV & Cervical cancer?
7
 Since cervical cancer is caused by HPV, any woman who is sexually
active can be diagnosed with cervical cancer.
 HPV transmission occurs with skin-to-skin contact. Condoms may
reduce the risk of HPV, but they do not fully protect against the virus.
 Other contributing risk factors for HPV and cervical cancer include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Immune suppression or HIV infection
Cigarette smoking
Sexual activity beginning at an early age
Multiple sex partners
Chlamydia infection
Diet low in fruits and vegetables
•
•
•
•
•
Overweight or obese
Oral contraceptives
Multiple pregnancies
Low socioeconomic status
Family history of cervical cancer
Does HPV have symptoms?
8
 In most cases HPV does not symptoms.
 HPV test – the only way to detect a high-risk HPV infection.
 Signs of an HPV infection may appear weeks, months, or years
after the infection.
 Cervical cell changes – that result from an HPV infection and
may lead to cancer – can only be detected by a Pap test. These
changes do not have symptoms.
Can hpv be treated?
9
 There is no treatment for HPV.
 There are treatments for cervical cell changes that HPV can
cause.
 Women with such changes should discuss treatment options
with their doctor.
What are the symptoms of
Cervical cancer?
10
 Cervical cancer or early cervical pre-cancers often have no signs
or symptoms. Early symptoms may include:
•
•
•
•
Any unusual discharge from the vagina
Blood spots or light bleeding when you're not having your period
Bleeding after menopause
Bleeding or pain during sex
 The symptoms do not necessarily mean a diagnosis of cervical
cancer – these may occur for other reasons.
 Women with any of these symptoms should contact their doctor
immediately.
Can cervical cancer be treated?
11
 Cervical cancer can be treated with:
• Surgery
• Radiation and/or
• Chemotherapy
 Women diagnosed with cervical cancer should discuss
treatment options with their doctor.
A few things to remember
12
 50% to 80% of all men and women will have HPV at some point
in their lives.
 Most infections will not develop into cervical cancer, are only
temporary and will go away without treatment.
 Cervical cancer:
• Largely preventable – regular screening, changing or avoiding certain risk
factors, and vaccinations are essential.
• Caused by a common virus – the human papillomavirus, or HPV.
• Does not usually have symptoms.
References
13
 American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts and Figures 2009. Atlanta, GA: American Cancer Society; 2009.
 American Cancer Society. Cervical Cancer. www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2_1x.asp?dt=8.
 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. www.cdc.gov/std/HPV/STDFact-HPV.htm#common.
 Food and Drug Administration. Gardasil (human papillomavirus quadrivalent [types 6, 11, 16, 18] vaccine,
recombinant). www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/2006/ucm108666.htm.
 Food and Drug Administration. HPV (human papillomavirus).
www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ByAudience/ForWomen/ucm118530.htm.
 GlaxoSmithKline. www.gsk.com/media/pressreleases/2009/2009_pressrelease_10051.htm.
 National Cervical Cancer Public Education Campaign. www.cervicalcancercampaign.org.
 Naucler P, Ryd W, Törnberg S, Strand A, Wadell G, Elfgren K, et al. Human papillomavirus and
Papanicolaou tests to screen for cervical cancer. New England Journal Medicine 2007; 357:1589-97.
 Nobelförsamlingen. The discoveries of human papillomaviruses that cause cervical cancer and of human
immunodeficiency virus. nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/medicine/laureates/2008/adv.pdf.
 World Health Organization. Cervical cancer, human papillomavirus (HPV), and HPV vaccines – Key points for
policy-makers and health professional. Geneva, Switzerland: WHO; 2007.
www.who.int/hpvcentre/publications/en/index.html.
HPV & Cervical Cancer
Frequently Asked Questions
HPV & Cervical Cancer Prevention
2009 International Toolkit