Cervical Cancer Facts

Germany has the highest mortality and incidence rates for cervical cancer among other countries in Western Europe. It is important for German women to know risk factor for cervical cancer, so they can prevent from getting this malignancy. Since 1971 all women have been eligible for a yearly gynecological ‘cervical cancer early detection exam’ (KFU) which is covered by statutory health insurance. KFU start at age 20, it includes a pap smear for screening of cervical cancer and a gynecological examination. As over 90% of the Germany women population is covered by statutory health insurance, about 30.5 million women are eligible for an annual KFU for preventing cervical cancer.

Although cervical cancer prevention programs already exist, the success of this program can not be separated from the participation of the population. It turned out that German women’s participation in cervical cancer prevention programs is relatively low. The results of the Germany National Health Interview and Examination Survey indicated a participation rate of 36.5% in 1997. Women in upper social classes participated more frequently than women in lower social classes. Participation rate dropped sharply among women over 55. In a health survey conducted in the State of Northrhine-Westfalia, 56.5% of participating women had a KFU during the year of the survey or in the previous year. Participation is strongly influenced by the knowledge of German women about the risks of cervical cancer.

To determine whether the German women know risk factors of cervical cancer, some researchers from the University of Mainz make a survey of Germany 1500 women age 25 to 75. From the results of these studies, was more than two third of the Germany women realize that they lack information about the risk of cervical cancer. In fact, only 3.2% of them knew that infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) is a risk factor for cervical cancer.

For that, a campaign about cervical cancer needs to be improved so that German women can better learn risk of cervical cancer. If they know the risk of this cancer, they will be more attention to prevent cervical cancer. Participation in cervical cancer prevention programs would be increased.

Fact that cervical cancer screening continues to find abnormalities in women over 50 is showed by a new study published by The Institute of Cancer Research. This study will response discussion about whether to continue cervical cancer screening of women over 50 with a prior history of negative pap smear tests.

Women over 50 have a lower risk of developing cervical cancer than young adult women. Only 1% women in over 50 have precancerous changes but 10% of women in their 20s have abnormalities.

Previous studies have showed that cervical cancer screening in over 50s may be causing more harm than good because the cervical cancer risk is lower in older women. But, in this new study which done in women aged 20 to 64 years between 1988 and 2003 found that cervical cancer screening does in fact find serious abnormalities. It showed two-thirds of abnormal smears were found in women who had two previous negative results in their 40s.

From this study, we can conclude that stopping cervical cancer screening in older women, even in those who have had clear results in their 40s, would miss a group of women who have risks of developing cervical cancer later in life. So, women over 50 should continue to be screened, as they continue to be at risk of developing cervical cancer.

I found a journal on BMJ which show increase of cervical cancer risk on female in whom the HPV persists for several months. Researcher show that women who have persist HPV infection are have a higher risk than who quickly clear the infection. This study is important for cervical cancer prevention, and for research into a vaccine against HPV.

Immediately after the onset of sexual activity, rates of HPV are very high as women become infected. In most women, the immune system will quickly clear the infection, but in a immunedefficience-women the HPV infection persists.

Latest cervical cancer study found that women were more likely to show cervical abnormalities called squamous intraepithelial lesions or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, which sometimes become cervical cancer, when their infection persisted over several months (JAMA 2001;286:3106-14). From that study we can surely make a conclusion that HPV infection is cervical cancer risk factor which must be prevented.

Cervical cancer is one of most dangerous malignancy in female. Although cervical cancer is a dangerous killer, it is preventable. To prevent cervical cancer, we must avoid risk factor. Some of risk factor can be avoided, but unfortunately some factor cannot be avoided. The nine cervical cancer risk factor which can be avoided are:

1. HPV infection

2. Multiple sexual partner

3. Promiscuous partner

4. Early sexual intercourse

5. Early child bearing

6. Multiparity

7. Prior Sexual Transmitted Diseases

8. Cigarette smoking

9. Immunodeficiency

All of above risk can be avoided. You can prevent cervical cancer if you have only one faithful sexual partner.  Do not think to dishonest or having multiple sexual partner, it will give you risk to have cervical cancer. Having faithful wife or husband also can protect you from sexual transmitted disease, such as HIV which make you lack of immune system. Avoid these nine cervical cancer risk factor and you will become free from cervical cancer’s fear!