Two steps to prevent cervical cancer

  • Published
  • By CiCi Moore
  • TriWest Healthcare Alliance
TRIWEST --  January is National Cervical Health Awareness Month, a great time to remind women about the importance of prevention and early detection of cervical cancer.

In 2006, approximately 9,700 cases of cervical cancer were diagnosed in the United States and nearly 3,700 women died from the disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Women can greatly reduce their risk of developing cervical cancer by following two easy steps:

Step 1: Get regular pap tests

Approximately half of the cervical cancers currently diagnosed in the United States are in women who have never received a Pap test. An additional 10 percent occur in women who have not been screened within the past five years.

Pap tests can help your doctor detect precancers and the human papillomavirus (HPV). Treatment of these precancers can stop cervical cancer before it fully develops.

Consult with your doctor about your options for pelvic exams and Pap tests. As part of regular clinical preventive services, TRICARE will cover pelvic examinations and Pap smear testing each year beginning at age 18, or younger if sexually active. After three consecutive normal Pap smears, TRICARE will cover one Pap test every three years or as recommended by your doctor.

Step 2: Obtain the HPV vaccine

Cervical infection with HPV is the main risk for cervical cancer, as HPV can cause changes in the cervix. In fact, nearly all cervical cancer cases are associated with an HPV infection.

The HPV vaccine is a TRICARE-covered benefit; it has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration only for females nine to 26 years of age to prevent cervical cancer caused by HPV. The CDC recommends a three-dose schedule for the HPV vaccine with the second and third doses administered two and six months after the first dose. Routine vaccination for girls 11 to 12 years old is also recommended.

Because the vaccine is new, it may not be available everywhere. Also, the vaccine does not protect against every type of HPV infection and can't prevent all cervical cancers. It is still vitally important to get regular gynecological exams and Pap tests.

Learn more about HPV prevention and treatment at the CDC Web site at http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv.

If you are interested in the HPV vaccine for yourself or a family member, contact your physician to find out if they administer the vaccine. For more information on your TRICARE benefits, visit TriWest online at www.triwest.com or call 1-888-TRIWEST (874-9378).