Cervical Cancer Prevention Featured at CDC's Public Health Grand Rounds

The CDC Public Health Grand Rounds Session, "Preventing Cervical Cancer in the 21st Century," was held on January 15, 2019 at CDC's Roybal campus. This topic was chosen to feature the important work being done for cervical cancer prevention. Cervical cancer has decreased in the U.S. due to screening, however in the past few years, the rates have remained stable. Almost half of cervical cancers are among women who have never or rarely been screened for cervical cancer. Topics discussed during the session included the challenges of cervical cancer screening and the improvements needed, the role of HPV vaccination in preventing cervical cancer, and underserved populations at high risk.

Watch CDC's Grand Rounds Session and Beyond the Data interview discussion on cervical cancer and prevention:

CDC Public Health Grand Rounds Session - Preventing Cervical Cancer in the 21st Century available on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn

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Are You Doing What You Can to Prevent Cervical Cancer?

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the United States and each year, more than 4,000 women die from it. All women are at risk for cervical cancer and the main cause of this cancer is the human papillomavirus (HPV). These facts are helpful in understanding the impact of cervical cancer but more can be done.

Women can reduce their risk for cervical cancer with regular screening tests starting at age 21. Two screening tests can help prevent cervical cancer or find it early:

The Pap test (or Pap smear) screens for abnormal cells that may develop into cancer.
The HPV test screens for the HPV virus that causes these cell changes.

When found and treated early, cervical cancer is curable. The HPV vaccine can prevent most cervical cancers caused by HPV. Talk to your doctor about the recommended screening tests and HPV vaccine. This is your chance to do more to prevent cervical cancer.

Learn about screening services through CDC’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP).

Expanding Cancer Data: New Module Provides Districts

If you want to learn more about cancer in your community, do you know where to find information? Maybe, you are a public health official who needs to understand how cancer in your state compares to other states or the nation. The U.S. Cancer Statistics Data Visualizations Tool is user-friendly and makes it easy for anyone to explore and use the official federal United States Cancer Statistics (USCS) data, which includes the rates of new cancers and cancer deaths for the whole U.S. population.

Now, you can see these data in a new way: by Congressional district (which are based on the size of the population). This new module provides a more detailed view of cancer incidence and death rates to identify trends and geographic differences, and help inform programs and policies in areas where cancer prevention and control efforts are needed most. These data are presented by cancer type, sex, race, and ethnicity.

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Data Brief: HPV-Associated Cancers Among American Indian and Alaska Native Populations

Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes 90% of cervical and anal cancers, 70% of oropharyngeal, vaginal, and vulvar cancers, and 60% of penile cancers. The American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) population experiences higher rates of certain cancers, and these rates often vary by geographic region. A recent USCS data brief, “Cancers Associated with Human Papillomavirus in the American Indian and Alaska Native Population, United States—1999-2015 (Purchased/Referred Care Delivery Areas-PRCDA),” shows incidence rates of HPV-associated cancers in AI/AN men and women compared to the general U.S. population. Cervical cancer is the most common HPV-associated cancer in AI/AN women, while oropharyngeal cancer is the most common HPV-associated cancer in AI/AN men. The highest rates of HPV-associated cancers among AI/AN women, occur in the Northern Plains, Southern Plains, and Alaska. HPV vaccines protect against the types of HPV that can lead to cervical, vaginal, vulvar, and anal precancers and cancers.

Helping Women Understand Gynecologic Cancers and Screening

When it comes to understanding gynecologic cancers and screening, some information can be confusing. A new blog post provides details about which screening tests are recommended, the age group for the screening tests, and how often women should be screened. The post shares that most women are familiar with the Pap test, but not the HPV test. In addition, many women are not aware that the Pap test only screens for cervical cancer and that other gynecologic cancers do not have a screening test. Providers are encouraged to discuss screening test options with women and explain when screening is appropriate. Knowing why and when to get screened is important in understanding your gynecologic health.

Did You Know?

Smoking increases a woman's risk of cervical cancer.
HPV is a common virus that infects teens and adults. About 80% of people will get an HPV infection in their lifetime. Usually, the body's immune system gets rid of HPV naturally within two years.