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Cervical Cancer Health AwarenessCervical Cancer and Pap Test InformationAccording to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 10,520 new cases of invasive cervical cancer will be diagnosed in 2004 and about 3,900 women will die of the disease.1 The good news is that cervical cancer is preventable and curable if it is detected early.
1Source: Cancer Facts and Figures 2004, American Cancer Society, 2004. Why get a pap test?
Cervical cancer rates are higher among women aged 40 years and older; however, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (or CIN), the precursor lesion to cervical cancer, most often occurs among young women. Screening women using the Papanicolaou (Pap) test is an important strategy that can prevent cervical cancer from developing most of the time by finding lesions at an early stage when they can be removed before they become cancer. New Screening Interval RecommendationsA recent publication entitled "Risk of Cervical Cancer Associated with Extending the Interval between Cervical-Cancer Screenings" found evidence that most women can safely extend their cervical cancer screening interval from once a year to once every three years. The authors used data from the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program to estimate the risk involved in extending the screening interval for Pap tests from each year (annually) to every two years or every three years. The researchers also estimated the average numbers of additional Pap tests and colposcopic examinations that would be needed to avert one case of cancer with the use of various screening intervals among women of various ages. According to lead author George Sawaya, MD, of the University of California, San Francisco, for women aged 30 years or older who wait three years to have a Pap test after they have had three or more negative annual Pap tests, the increase in risk of developing cervical cancer is approximately three in 100,000. He said the study provides information for women and their clinicians in making informed decisions about how often to be screened. Coauthor Herschel Lawson, MD, of the CDC, said, "These results validate the decision of the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program to lengthen the screening interval of program-enrolled women with multiple successive normal Pap tests and concentrate program resources on identifying and screening women not previously screened or not screened for three or more years." Sawaya GF, McConnell KJ, Kulasingam SL, Lawson HW, Kerlikowske K, Melnikow J, Lee NC, Gildengorin G, Myers ER, Washington AE. Risk of Cervical Cancer Associated with Extending the Interval between Cervical-Cancer Screenings.* The New England Journal of Medicine 2003;349(16):1501–1509. The following organizations now recommend cervical cancer screening at longer intervals (2—3 years):
*Links to non-Federal organizations found at this site are
provided solely as a service to our users. These links do not constitute an
endorsement of these organizations or their programs by CDC or the Federal
Government, and none should be inferred. The CDC is not responsible for the
content of the individual organization Web pages found at these links. Basic Facts and Risk FactorsNew Cervical Cancer Fact Sheet Risk Factors Associated with Cervical Cancer
More Information on Cervical Cancer and HPV
*Links to non-Federal organizations found at this site are
provided solely as a service to our users. These links do not constitute an
endorsement of these organizations or their programs by CDC or the Federal
Government, and none should be inferred. The CDC is not responsible for the
content of the individual organization Web pages found at these links.
Strategies for Reaching Underserved PopulationsCervical Cancer Mortality Among Foreign-Born Women Living in the United
States, 1985 to 1996 Although an estimated 12,200 cases of invasive cervical cancer were expected to be diagnosed in 2003 and an estimated 4,100 cervical cancer deaths were expected in 2003, mortality rates have declined over the past several decades largely as Pap screening has become more prevalent. Hard to reach populations are increasingly becoming the focus of efforts to encourage cervical cancer prevention and early detection. Findings from the study indicate that cervical cancer control efforts should be intensified in areas of the United States with large foreign-born communities. Additionally, doctors and health professionals should be educated about the need for improved cervical cancer testing among foreign-born women living in the U.S. Seeff LC, McKenna MT. Cervical Cancer Mortality Among Foreign-born Women Living in the United States, 1985 to 1996.* Cancer Detection and Prevention 2003;27(3):203-208.
Training on Understanding Cultural and Psychosocial Barriers to Pap Testing In addition to this CME opportunity, ASCCP and ASHA are offering six additional training courses*
Information Resources
*Links to non-Federal organizations found at this site are
provided solely as a service to our users. These links do not constitute an
endorsement of these organizations or their programs by CDC or the Federal
Government, and none should be inferred. The CDC is not responsible for the
content of the individual organization Web pages found at these links. Information for Clinicians
*Links to non-Federal organizations found at this site are
provided solely as a service to our users. These links do not constitute an
endorsement of these organizations or their programs by CDC or the Federal
Government, and none should be inferred. The CDC is not responsible for the
content of the individual organization Web pages found at these links. |
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