Article provided by Qiagen
The threat of cervical cancer has many mothers researching HPV vaccine information for their daughters. HPV, the human papillomavirus, is the primary cause of cervical cancer.
HPV vaccines are for girls and young women ages 9-26 to help protect against the two types of HPV that are most commonly associated with cervical cancer. These vaccines are a powerful tool to help protect today’s girls -- tomorrow’s generation of women – from cervical cancer. But what about cervical cancer protection for moms today?
What tools are out there for women today who may be at risk? While you’re exploring the HPV vaccine for your daughter, be sure to learn about what you, as a mom can do to protect yourself against cervical cancer:
•The Pap test – The Pap test looks at a sample of cells taken from a woman's cervix for any cell changes or abnormalities. Pap testing should begin at age 21.
•The HPV test – The HPV test, conducted from the same sample as the Pap, identifies women with high-risk HPV infections that can cause cervical cancer. When used with a Pap in women 30 and older, the HPV test increases the ability to identify who is at risk of developing cervical cancer.
-If you are age 30 or older, ask your doctor for the digene HPV Test together with your Pap test.
-If both tests come back normal, then the tests don’t need to be repeated for three years. But remember to return each year for your annual health exam.
-If one or both tests come back abnormal, this doesn’t necessarily mean you have cervical cancer. It simply enables your healthcare provider to monitor you more closely or treat pre-cancerous cells before cervical cancer develops. See this chart to help understand what your test results mean. (http://www.thehpvtest.com/Getting-the-Test/What-Your-Test-Results-Mean/O...)
-HPV testing isn’t necessary for women younger than 30, because HPV infections in young women usually go away on their own without causing problems. Women under 30 will only have HPV testing if their Pap test is inconclusive.
Links: Helpful Web Resources on Cervical Cancer Prevention
•www.theHPVtest.com – The HPV Test website focuses on the early detection and prevention of cervical cancer through screening. Site includes frequently-asked-questions, patient stories, and tips on “what your test results mean.”
-Follow on Twitter: @HPVinformed
-“Like” the“Protect yourself against cervical cancer” Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Protect-yourself-against-cervical-cancer-L...
•www.theyellowumbrella.org - The Yellow Umbrella Organization is founded by cervical cancer survivor and “rocker” Christine Baze, who takes her music and story on the road to educate women about cancer prevention. Also, visit Christine’s www.savethehooch.org site to purchase a Yellow Umbrella make-up kit to raise money for cervical cancer prevention.
•www.HealthyWomen.org - HealthyWomen is the nation’s leading independent health information source for women. Recently listed as one of Forbes’ top 100 websites for women, healthywomen.org has resources on many women’s health issues, including comprehensive info on cervical and gynecologic cancers.
•www.pearlofwisdom.us - The Pearl of Wisdom Campaign to Prevent Cervical Cancer is a global partnership to raise awareness of tools for preventing cervical cancer and advocate for making them available to girls and women worldwide. Buy a pin, send an e-card, and download educational materials.
For more information on the the HPV test, click this link.