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Women can take several steps to reduce their risk for developing cervical cancer, according to Ami P. Vaidya, MD.
“Two of the main ways women can protect themselves relate to the human papillomavirus, or HPV,” says Dr. Vaidya, a board-certified gynecologic oncologist who practices with Regional Cancer Care Associates (RCCA) at the John Theurer Cancer Center of Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack, NJ. RCCA is one of the nation’s largest networks of oncology specialists, with more than 20 locations near you across New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and the Washington, D.C., area.
The cancer specialist explains that HPV is a very common viral infection spread through skin contact, including during sex. While people with robust immune systems often clear the virus, it sometimes can persist, she notes. Dr. Vaidya adds that just like influenza and other viruses, there are different types of HPV and that they vary significantly in the threat they pose to health. “More than 200 types of HPV have been identified, with about a dozen of those associated with high risk for developing cervical cancer. Two of those high-risk types, HPV 16 and HPV 18, account for 70% of cases of cervical cancer worldwide,”1,2 she says.
Dr. Vaidya says being vaccinated against HPV before age 17 has been shown to reduce women’s risk of later developing cervical cancer by 88%.3 “That finding came from a 2020 Swedish study that followed more than 1.6 million girls and women over more than a decade. The study’s results are in keeping with other research that prompted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to recommend HPV vaccination for children at ages 11 and 12. The CDC adds that vaccination can be started at age 9 and is recommended through age 26 for those who were not adequately vaccinated when they were younger.4
In the Swedish study, women who were vaccinated between ages 17 and 30 saw their cervical cancer risk cut by 53%,” Dr. Vaidya explains.
The gynecologic oncologist continues, “The National Cancer Institute notes that some adults ages 27 to 45 who are not already vaccinated may decide to get the HPV vaccine after talking with their doctor about their risk of new HPV infections.2 However, vaccination does not treat a current HPV infection. So, in terms of vaccination, which is the first way women can protect themselves from the impact of HPV, the earlier, the better.”
Dr. Vaidya’s colleague Joseph McLaughlin, MD, adds that the earlier-the-better adage also pertains to the second way women can protect themselves from HPV-related problems – prompt detection of the virus and any cervical changes it may be causing.
“Cervical cancer usually develops over the course of many years and is preceded by precancerous changes to the cells and tissues involved. Just as a gastroenterologist can remove precancerous intestinal polyps at colonoscopy and a dermatologist can remove precancerous moles identified at a skin examination, an Ob/Gyn can diagnose and treat these precancerous conditions when women have regular cervical screening,” says Dr. McLaughlin, a board-certified medical oncologist and hematologist who practices in RCCA’s Manchester, CT offices.
Dr. McLaughlin adds, “Recent years have seen significant advances in screening technology and capabilities, with primary HPV testing performed by a clinician replacing the traditional Pap smear as the screening method now preferred by the American Cancer Society,5 other organizations, and most clinicians.” He notes that the cancer society’s latest guideline calls for women at average risk for cervical cancer to:
“I want to stress that the American Cancer Society has termed primary HPV testing by a healthcare provider is its preferred method for cervical screening,”5 Dr. McLaughlin says. “Additionally, it is important to understand that these recommendations apply to women at average risk of the disease. If you are at elevated risk, whether due to past abnormal screening results or other factors, your Ob/Gyn or other healthcare provider will talk with you about the screening frequency that is best suited to your specific situation.”
Dr. Vaidya notes that smoking and obesity also are risk factors for cervical cancer, just as they are for many other cancers, cardiovascular disease, and other conditions. “Women who smoke face roughly twice the risk of developing cervical cancer as non-smokers.6 Meanwhile, several studies have shown that cervical cancer rates are higher in women who are overweight or obese than in women with a lower body mass index, but the nature of the relationship between weight and cervical cancer is not fully understood.”7
The gynecologic oncologist continues, “As physicians, we know how difficult it is for a person to stop smoking or to reduce weight, but we also know how important both of those steps are. If you are a smoker or are dealing with weight issues, please talk with your doctor. Physicians are here to help, not judge, and several effective options for both smoking cessation and healthy weight loss are available.”
The cancer specialist adds that other risk factors for cervical cancer include:
Dr. Vaidya notes, however, that the risks associated with multiple pregnancies and extended use of oral contraceptives are far smaller than those arising from HPV infection. Further, she says, “Use of oral contraceptives has been shown to lower the risk of ovarian cancer, which is almost twice as common as cervical cancer and much more difficult to identify in its early stages and treat. A recent study examining data on more than 220,000 women found that having ever used oral contraception reduced the risk of ovarian cancer by 26% relative to not ever having taken birth control pills, with use of oral contraception after age 45 reducing that risk by 43%.”8
Dr. McLaughlin says, “In summary, there is a great deal that women can do to reduce their risk of cervical cancer and a great deal that Ob/Gyns and gynecologic oncologists can do to treat precancerous cervical conditions before they progress to invasive cervical cancer.”
Dr. Vaidya notes, “Further, recent years have seen tremendous advances in our ability to treat cervical cancer itself, including new surgical, radiotherapy, and medical approaches, with immunotherapy and targeted therapy regimens being particularly noteworthy. This year, more than 13,000 women across the United States will be diagnosed with cervical cancer.9 If, unfortunately, you or a loved one is among those women, we want you to know that we are here for you and that you have more reason than ever before to have hope for effective treatment and achieving the best possible outcome.”
Dr. Vaidya and Dr. McLaughlin are among 90+ medical oncologists and hematologists who practice with Regional Cancer Care Associates (RCCA), one of the nation’s largest networks of oncology specialists. RCCA has more than 20 locations near you across New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and the Washington, D.C., area. RCCA’s cancer specialists see more than 30,000 new patients each year and provide care to more than 265,000 established patients, collaborating closely with those patients’ other physicians. RCCA physicians offer patients innovative therapies, including immunotherapies and targeted therapy, as well as access to approximately 300 clinical trials. In addition to serving patients who have solid tumors, blood-based cancers, and benign blood disorders, RCCA care centers also provide infusion services to people with a number of non-oncologic conditions—including multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, asthma, iron-deficiency anemia, and rheumatoid arthritis—who take intravenously-administered medications.
To learn more about RCCA, call 844-346-7222 or contact RCCA.
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