BY ALLISON KOZICHAROW AND BERNICE BORN
January is Cervical Health Awareness Month. The World Health Organization reports that an estimated one million-plus women worldwide are currently living with cervical cancer. The majority of women affected live in low- and middle-income countries, where they know little about prevention and have no access to treatment or care.
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Cervical cancer is a disease that starts in the cervix, the lower, narrow end of the uterus. This cancer is almost always caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). This is a common virus that can be passed from one person to another during unprotected sex. About one in four Americans contract HPV. The best defense against cervical cancer is the HPV vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all children who are 11 or 12 years old should get two shots of the HPV vaccine six to 12 months apart.
WiRED International offers a two-part training course on cervical cancer in its Cancer Series. Part 1 describes the cervix, cancer cells and their growth, risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis and staging. Part 2 discusses treatment, such as surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, nutrition and follow-up care.
Cervical cancer is preventable with vaccination for HPV and regular screening through the Pap and HPV tests and can be cured when found early and treated.