KUAM.com-KUAM News: On Air. Online. On Demand.Understanding cervical cancer

by Krystal Paco

Guam - Cervical cancer starts in the lower part of the uterus and oftentimes, a woman may not even know she has it because there aren't many symptoms in the early stages.  While cervical cancer is the third most common type of cancer worldwide, it is also considered one of the most highly preventable.

According to the Guam Cancer Registry, from 2003-2007, 31 women on Guam were diagnosed with cervical cancer and 15 women have died. It is the sixth-most common diagnosed cancer on Guam. Ven Imanil is the program coordinator for the Guam Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention Program, and said, "The most common cause of cervical cancer is the infection of the human papillomov virus, which is sexually transmitted. So there are certain types of HPV that can cause cervical cancer. These types are HPV-16 and 18."

Cervical cancer start in the cells on the surface of the cervix.  The cells are known as squamous and columnar.  Most cervical cancers are from squamous cells.  According to medical websites, cervical cancer usually develops very slowly.  Experts say a precancerous condition known as dysplasia, can be detected by a pap smear and it 100% treatable.  Without regular pap smears a woman might not know that she had dysplasia and undetected precancerous changes can develop into cervical cancer and spread to the bladder, intestines, lungs and liver. Risk factors of cervical cancer include having sex at an early age, multiple sexual partners and a weakened immune system. 

Oftentimes those with early cervical cancer won't know it because there aren't any symptoms but some people may experience abnormal vaginal bleeding between periods, continuous vaginal discharge, and heavier periods.  For those who have advanced cervical cancer, symptoms will include back pain, bone fractures, fatigue, heavy bleeding, leg and pelvic pain, loss of appetite and weight loss.

Early cervical cancer can be cured by removing or destroying the precancerous or cancerous tissue.  It's for this reason that officials on Guam are urging parents to get their girls vaccinated to prevent them from getting HPV and spreading awareness for women to get a pap smear annually. "We are encouraging children starting 9 to 26 to get their HPV because this vaccine can prevent cervical cancer, and those older women 21 and over we're asking them to have their regular pap test, and this is done annually depending on the pap test that they're having. For conventional pap test you have it every year if they're using the liquid based then its every two years," Imanil said.

American Cancer Society community manager for health initiatives' Marisha Artero says data from the Guam Cancer Registry has shown that about 315 people every year are diagnosed with cancer on Guam. With its prevalence in the community, Artero says it's critical that everyone takes active steps toward prevention. "As everyone is thinking and talking about their new year's resolutions to put their health first; there's a number of things people can be doing first and foremost. Making those visits to see the doctor, making sure you are getting your cervical cancer screening, asking about colon cancer screening and just being mindful of the things we can be doing for diet and exercise to be cancer-free. Let's focus on eating well and of course the exercise that we all need to maintain that healthy lifestyle," she said.

Officials say that cervical cancer is unique as you can actually prevent the cancer before it develops by going in and getting screened. There is also a vaccine for young women to prevent them from getting the human papillomavirus which is the main cause of cervical cancer. 

You can get more information about free pap screening tests at the Guam Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program.