Cancer of the cervix is a disease that can be history. We know how to detect it at the very earliest stage. In fact, we can actually find it before it has invaded the cervix. We know how to cure it in its earliest stages and we know how to prevent it.

Fifty years ago cancer of the cervix attacked more women than breast cancer. Then a simple test, based on a smear taken from the cervix, was developed by a Dr. Papanicolaou. The test was easy to perform and proved exceedingly reliable. Since then death rates from cervical cancer have dropped dramatically with the widespread adoption of the Pap smear on an annual basis for all women who are sexually active.

We know that cervical cancer is usually caused by a virus (human papillomavirus) and is transmitted sexually by unprotected sex. We now actually have tests for the virus that causes cervical cancer that can be detected even before abnormal cells are present on the cervix.

Cervical cancer can be eradicated completely and made history if all women have an annual Pap smear after they become sexually active and continue to be examined even after they stop having children. Women who are not sexually active and have had three to five negative Pap smears can have the test performed less frequently if their gynecologist feels that that is appropriate.

The importance of going for regular gynecological examinations goes beyond the annual Pap smear. A gynecologist can do a careful examination of the area for any pre-cancerous lesion and perform the all-important examination for ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer is a disease that attacks one woman in seventy throughout her lifetime. Because the ovaries are internal organs (as opposed to the breast which is external), most ovarian cancers are detected after they have grown to a substantial size. Early ovarian cancer is rarely detected.

A large scale screening method that works is not yet available. A promising blood test (CA-125) was not successful in finding early ovarian cancer when done in large studies. Other tests combined with the blood test may prove useful and are being studied in England. At this time the most important thing a woman can do is to be examined by her gynecologist on a regular basis.

High-risk women may benefit from more intensive examinations by her gynecologist, including annual examination and ultrasound as well as a blood test. High-risk women include those whose mothers or sisters may have had ovarian cancer and family members who carry the breast cancer genes, BRCA-1 and BRCA-2. In particular, however, if first degree relatives (mother, sister, grandmother) have a history of ovarian cancer and/or breast cancer or women who have had breast cancer, these women should make their gynecologist aware of this information and be carefully screened regularly for ovarian cancer. This is a hard disease to pick up early, but that's the only really good chance to cure it -- the difference between 75 and 90% curable for early stage disease to less than 50% curable in the more advanced stages. Early detection is great prevention – and your gynecologist is the key to a successful outcome.

For more information and answers to specific questions contact the Rhode Island Cancer Council at Tel@ricancercouncil.org or call us at (401) 728-4800 or toll free 866-879-4100.

IT IS EASIER TO PREVENT CANCER THAN TO TREAT IT.

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