Women’s Health–Focus on Wiping out Cervical Cancer

Eliminating Cervical Cancer

The District 11, Area 1 Meeting featured Nancy Wright, Dir of the Alabama Department of Health Cancer Division and co-coordinating partner of Operation Wipe Out, which aims to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem in Alabama. The program raises awareness about HPV and cervical cancer prevention and facilitates access to vaccination, screening, follow-up, and treatment. AL is the first US state to lay out a strategy to end cervical cancer deaths, but the program can be adapted for any state. Below is info based on the the talk and the program website: 

Everyone with a cervix is at risk of developing cervical cancer, even if they don’t have a family history of cancer. Cervical cancer is different from many other cancers in that it can be wiped out through three actions: HPV vaccination, cervical cancer screening and follow-up and treatment. 

HPV is the main cause of cervical cancer. Almost everyone who has had any type of sexual activity will get infected with HPV at some point in their lives, and anyone can become infected from sex or close skin-to-skin genital contact with someone with the virus. 80% of people will be infected with HPV. For most people the virus goes away on its own, but if the infection persists over time, it can turn into pre-cancer and cancer. HPV can also cause vaginal and vulvar cancer in women, penile cancer in men, and anal and oropharyngeal cancer in men and women. More info on HPV HERE. 

The HPV vaccine is recommended for people aged 9-26. Adults aged 27-45 can also receive the HPV vaccine. In order to make an informed decision on whether to get your children and/or yourself vaccinated against HPV, talk to your health care provider and refer to credible websites. 

 Everyone who has a cervix and is between the ages of 21-65 should get screened regularly. Cervical cancer screening should be done with a Pap test every 3 years from age 21 to 29, and then starting at age 30 a HPV/Pap co-test or HPV-only test should be done every 3-5 years. Screening can be done past 65 for any woman with a cervix who has never been screened or did not have regular screenings. Women over 65 who have new sexual partner(s) should ask about testing even though it’s not generally recommended over 65. Screenings are generally covered by most insurance plans. Individuals who do not have health insurance coverage and meet income guidelines can usually be screened through various programs at no cost. 

Critically, if the screening results are abnormal, followup with a health care professional is essential. Follow-up tests can detect and treat changes BEFORE cancer develops. Yet 40 % of women with abnormal results don’t follow up. 

While much of this info may seem familiar, some of it may be less well-known. Also, many women do not have access to even basic health information, and with many rural health services closing down due to funding shortages, many women may not have easy access to care. 

Operation Wipe Out offers resources for sharing information about cervical cancer: 

1. 30-minute Film on Operation Wipe Out 

2. Action sheets for various professions, parents, cancer survivors, etc. 

For more information about the program and possible similar efforts in your state, contact Nancy Wright. Consider working to bring this life-saving information to your community