A gynecological oncologist answers common questions about the HPV vaccine, Pap smears and more.
Nearly 13,000 U.S. women were diagnosed with cervical cancer and about 4,000 died from the disease in 2015, the most recent year for which statistics are available, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most of those cases are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S. To help reduce that toll, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved the HPV vaccine for a larger group of people: adults up to age 45. Mihae Song, MD, a gynecologic oncologist at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) Somerset and Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, shares the latest on gynecologic cancer prevention.
Who’s at risk for contracting HPV and why is it dangerous?
Anyone who is sexually active is at risk. Seventy-nine million Americans have the virus, which is transmitted through genital and skin-to-skin contact. While there are often no symptoms, it can cause genital warts or lead to cancer of the cervix, vagina, penis, anus or throat.
Why is the HPV vaccine important for people up to age 45?
The vaccine, which is sold under the brand name Gardasil, was initially recommended for children starting at ages 11 or 12. Recently, research showed that it’s also protective in adults: The vaccine is 97 percent effective in preventing precancerous cervical changes in women who have never been exposed to HPV. If you’re 45 or younger and have not received the vaccine, we recommend getting the three-shot series.
If I get the HPV vaccine, do I still need regular Pap smears?
Yes. The Pap smear enables us to detect precancerous cervical changes. Women ages 21 to 29 should get a Pap smear every three years, and those ages 30 to 65 should get HPV testing and Pap smear screening every five years, unless otherwise directed by a physician.
How can I protect myself from other gynecologic cancers?
Consult your gynecologist immediately if you experience any unusual symptoms. Signs of uterine cancer include abnormal vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain. With ovarian cancer, symptoms range from abdominal pain to feeling full quickly. Vulvar cancer can cause itching and pain.
For more information about cancer care services at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset, visit www.rwjbh.org/somersetcancer.
RWJBarnabas Health and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset, in partnership with Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey—the state’s only NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center—provide close-to-home access to the latest treatment and clinical trials. Visit www.rwjbh.org/somersetwomenshealth