By Dr. Sharad Ghamande
Gynecologic Oncologist, MCG Health System

While small, these numbers do not mean women should discount the importance of yearly checks for cervical cancer. Consider the analogy of the tip of the iceberg. Only a bit of the iceberg may show above the water, representing the 14,000 women who develop cervical cancer. But below the water line, add another 50,000 women who have advanced precancerous cells. And below that, add an additional 3 million women who have abnormal Pap smears.

In other words, women need to remain focused on the importance of yearly Pap smears in diagnosing and preventing cervical cancer. While the rate of cervical cancer has dropped dramatically since the 1960s, the current rate has hit a plateau because a certain number of women do not receive regular medical care and get yearly Pap smears.

The majority of women who are diagnosed with cervical cancer have not had a Pap smear in four or five years. There are numerous reasons-some related to access and others to societal issues. But one reason is that many young women feel they are not at risk for cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer can strike women of all ages. But it is preventable if women receive regular screenings through Pap smears. In general, it takes several years for cervical cancer to develop. If precancerous changes are detected through regular Pap smears, these can be easily treated.

It is true that Pap smears are not 100 percent accurate. There have been cases where women have had normal Pap smears for years and then were diagnosed with cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is most commonly caused by HPV infection, but other more aggressive types can develop quickly and without warning. However, regular screenings remain effective in most cases in preventing cervical cancer. Ask your doctor if he or she performs the new liquid-based Pap smears, which have a higher success rate in detecting precancerous changes in the cervix.

It is also important for women to be aware of the risk factors for cervical cancer. These include:

• HPV infection. There are many different strains of HPV, including Type 16 and Type 18, which more commonly cause cervical cancer. Ask your physician about tests that can detect these specific types of HPV infection.
• Having many sexual partners
• Having first sexual intercourse at a young age
• Smoking
• Oral contraceptive use
• Weakened immune system

Signs of cervical cancer include unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge, pelvic pain and post-coital pain or bleeding.

In many countries, cervical cancer remains one of the leading cancers and it is still prevalent worldwide. During Cervical Health Awareness Month in January, we urge women to recognize the importance of their yearly Pap smear and to continue to get this annual screening.

MCG Health System is composed of three separate organizations -- MCG Health, Inc. and the clinical services offered by the faculty employees of the Medical College of Georgia and the members of the Physicians Practice Group. The physicians of MCG Health System are community physicians, faculty employees of the Medical College of Georgia, and employees of the Physicians Practice Group, not employees of MCG Health Inc. MCG Health, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation operating the MCG Medical Center, MCG Children’s Medical Center, the MCG Sports Medicine Center, MCG Ambulatory Care Center, the Georgia Radiation Therapy Center and related clinical facilities and services. MCG Health, Inc. was formed to support the research and education mission of the Medical College of Georgia and to build the economic growth of the CSRA, the state of Georgia and the Southeast by providing an environment for faculty employees of the Medical College of Georgia and the Physicians Practice Group and community physicians to deliver the highest level of primary and specialty health care. For more information, please visit www.MCGHealth.org.