The adage “prevention is better than cure” has been proven accurate in health care, with preventive efforts averting various medical issues and diseases. When it comes to cancer, particularly cervical cancer, a woman’s lifestyle significantly impacts the development of this disease.
According to the Mayo Clinic, various strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection, play a significant role in causing cervical cancer, which occurs in the cells of the cervix.
Dr. Leroy Campbell, a Jamaican specialist obstetrician and gynecologist strongly believes the incidence of cervical cancer cases may be reduced if more women are proactive in avoiding sexually transmitted infections.
He observed that, while women aged 30 and over are primarily afflicted by cervical cancer, women of a younger age can also develop the disease.
“In my own experience, I have treated patients as young as 24 with advanced cervical cancer. This means that this patient would have likely developed the initial stages of cancer probably at age 22 or 23,” he shared.
While HPV is very common and is the primary cause of cervical cancer, Dr. Campbell said it is important to note that there are different strains, some of which are not cancer-causing.
“Some of them are associated with other tumors that are non-cancerous such as genital warts and skin warts. The presence of genital warts may indicate the presence of HPV but does not necessarily indicate the presence of a cancer-causing type of HPV.”
When it comes to cancer-causing HPVs, he said HPV can be detected indirectly through screening methodologies such as pap smears or directly through HPV testing or HPV DNA testing.
While other cancers that afflict women, such as breast cancer, show indicators in the early stages, Dr. Campbell highlighted that cervical cancer is not one that normally presents signs in the early stages. He also observed that because some patients do not see signs of the disease, they present with advanced cancer stages, contributing to late diagnosis.
“Quite often, culturally we have a tendency to say if I’m okay I can’t have cancer or if I’m not having any symptoms, I can’t have cancer. In the case of cervical cancer, you can actually have no symptoms until the disease is quite advanced. The patient can be totally asymptomatic,” he shared.
However, he noted that in terms of commonly seen symptoms, women usually experience abnormal bleeding from the vagina. This may occur spontaneously or after intercourse or with the use of tampons.
Dr. Campbell added that some patients may report an abnormal discharge from the vagina that is persistent and unresponsive to treatment, and some patients may also have pelvic pain. In advanced cases, he noted that patients may present with urinary problems and features of renal failure amongst other symptoms.
“It’s a wide range of presentations, but most importantly it needs to be emphasized that the symptoms may not be present until the disease is quite advanced,” he reiterated.
“The earlier you detect it, the better,” he added.
He further shared that there are two main screening modalities: pap smears and HPV testing, and said the frequency with which women should be tested is determined by the modality used by the patient.
“The rationale behind the screening for cervical cancer is that it takes about five to 15 years that an HPV infection that is unresolved to lead to cancer. Consequently, it means that during that time the cells within the cervix undergo gradual changes that can be picked up,” he explained.
He also said that with HPV testing, a woman has a greater chance of reducing her risk of developing cervical cancer.
To prevent the development of cervical cancer, Dr. Campbell encourages women to get their screenings done as early as possible, based on the recommended age in their country.
“Traditionally in countries like Jamaica or other parts of the world where there are high rates of cervical cancer, the screening will start earlier. Any woman should be screened and the latest age for screening should start at 25 years old,” he advised.
However, Dr. Campbell underlined that because there are differences in cervical cancer practices and guidelines for women, a sexually active woman may begin screening between ages 18 to 21, depending on her geographic region.
He also encouraged women to get vaccinated to boost the body’s immune response to the HPV infection which has also proven to be effective in helping to prevent the development of cervical cancer.
This is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) which says HPV vaccination is recommended at the ages of 11 and 12 years.
The CDC also advises that HPV vaccines be given to children as young as nine years and that all preteens require the HPV vaccine to prevent them from HPV infections that might lead to cancer later in life.
In addition to vaccination, Dr. Campbell is encouraging women to engage in safe sexual practices with their partners, and take other preventive measures to avoid the development of the debilitating disease which will ultimately affect their quality of life if not treated.
“Get screened, it’s inexpensive, it’s safe, and you may have just minor discomfort if any at all. It will save your life,” he advised.
