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.

A new Florida State University study show that men are not interest in getting HPV vaccine although they have been informed that a new vaccine to prevent human papillomavirus (HPV) would also help protect their female partners against developing cervical cancer from the sexually transmitted HPV infection.

Mary Gerend and Jessica Barley found that men are not interest in getting HPV vaccine just because they can help protect their female sexual partners. An HPV vaccine for women has been available since 2006, and a vaccine for men is likely to be approved in the near future.

For maximum benefit to cervical cancer prevention programs, both men and women should be vaccinated but little was known about men’s interest in the vaccine before Gerend’s study, which was published in the journal Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Gerend presented the findings recently at the annual meeting of the Society of Behavioral Medicine in Montreal.

Gerend’s research team randomly divided 356 male college students into groups and gave one group a self-protection message that focused on the benefits of HPV vaccination for men and the other a partner-protection message that focused on the benefits of HPV vaccination for men and their female partners.

Men were asked to rate, on a scale of 1 to 6, the likelihood that they would get the vaccine, with 1 equalling “very unlikely” and 6 equalling “very likely.” There was little difference between the groups, with both expressing only moderate interest in getting the HPV vaccine. Those who received the self-protection message had a mean response of 3.9 on the 6-point scale, while the mean response from the group who got the partner-protection message was 3.8.

Moreover, men who identified themselves as being in a committed relationship also did not indicate a higher degree of interest in the HPV vaccination.

The key point in encouraging women to receive the HPV vaccine is the message about how it reduces their risk of developing cervical cancer. The results of Gerend’s study have important implications for how the HPV vaccine for men will be marketed for public acceptance when it becomes available. Efficacy trials in men are ongoing, and the Food and Drug Administration is expected to approve HPV Vaccine for use in men as early as this year.

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!