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Take that first step to prevent cervical cancer
Every seven weeks, a woman in the CNMI is diagnosed with cervical cancer. The month of January is nationally recognized as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. The Commonwealth Healthcare Corp.’s Comprehensive Cancer Control Program, or CCCP, and Breast and Cervical Screening Program, BCSP, under the Division of Public Health’s Non-Communicable Disease Bureau, are working together with various community partners to address this disease. Preliminary data from the CNMI Cancer Registry has indicated that a total of 56 women in the CNMI were diagnosed with cervical cancer between 2007 and 2014.
The CCCP and BCSP will be conducting educational presentations at various government agencies, publishing media awareness through the newspaper, radio and Facebook, and contacting women who are due for
their Pap test.
Cervical cancer is a cancer that starts in the cervix (the lower, narrow part of the uterus or womb). Most cases of cervical cancer are caused by a high-risk type of HPV. HPV is a virus that is passed from person to person through genital contact, such as vaginal, anal, or oral sex. If the HPV infection does not go away on its own, it may eventually cause cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is the easiest gynecological cancer to prevent with regular screening tests (such as a Pap test and HPV test) and getting the HPV vaccination. Cervical cancer is curable when found and treated at an early stage. Cervical cancer happens most often in women 30 years or older, but all women are at risk.
Smoking, having HIV or reduced immunity, or having given birth to three or more children may increase a woman’s risk of developing cancer following a high-risk HPV infection. Women ages 21-29 should get screened for cervical cancer by getting a Pap yest. Women ages 30-64 should get a Pap test and a human papillomavirus test. Talk to your provider about how often you should get screened. (CHCC)
