Through the years, there have been quite a few misconceptions and myths floating around about
cervical cancer, especially about
HPV and
Pap smears. Separate fact from fiction by reviewing these cervical cancer myths.
1. Myth: Cervical Cancer Cannot Be Prevented
Fact: Cervical cancer is one of the more preventable types of cancer. The most effective means of
cervical cancer prevention is regular Pap smear exams.
The approval of
Gardasil, the HPV vaccine, provides the most protection to young women. Given to girls as young as 9 years of age, the HPV vaccine protects against high risk strains of
HPV that are known to cause cervical cancer.
2. Myth: All Women Need a Pap Smear Yearly
Fact:While this used to be true, updated
cervical cancer screening guidelines do not require all women to have a
Pap smear yearly. Frequency of testing depends on age, previous test results, and when a woman becomes sexually active.
3. Myth: Condoms Prevent HPV
Fact: Condoms provide a limited amount of protection against HPV, the current leading cause of cervical cancer. Because HPV is transmitted through sexual contact, not just intercourse, HPV still may be transmitted.
An HPV study at the University of Washington found that condoms may prevent the transmission of HPV by up to 70%. More research is being conducted about the effectiveness of condoms against HPV.
4. Myth: Only Promiscuous Women Get Cervical Cancer
Fact: Having many sexual partners is a
risk factor for cervical cancer. However, women who have had only one partner can develop cervical cancer, also. No one can pinpoint exactly why one woman may develop cervical cancer and another may not. There are many factors in cervical cancer development.
5. Myth: Cervical Cancer Only Occurs in Developing Countries
Fact:Cervical cancer is a disease that plagues women in all countries, developed or not. In fact, more than 9,000 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer this year, and almost 4,000 will die from it in the United States. Because of the Pap smear, the rate of cervical cancer cases and deaths have greatly declined over the past 20 years.6. Myth: Older Women Don't Need Pap Smears
Fact: All women need to have a regular Pap smear until her doctor decides they are no longer necessary. This usually happens when a woman turns 65 and hasn't had an
abnormal Pap smear within the last 10 years. If you are unsure of when you should stop getting regular Pap smears, talk to your doctor.
7. Myth: HPV Is Uncommon
Fact: HPV is extremely common. It is estimated that more than 20 million people are infected with HPV in the U.S. In fact, it is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S.8. Myth: Women With HPV Will Get Cervical Cancer
Fact: There are more than a hundred types of HPV and only a few types are associated with cervical cancer. An
HPV test is available for some women to determine if they are infected with HPV and if it is a high-risk type. While HPV may never lead to cervical cancer, the infection does last a lifetime.
9. Reference:
"Human Papillomavirus and Genital Warts." 08/2006. National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases. 9 Oct 2006 http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/stdhpv.htm.
Rachel L. Winer, Ph.D, James P. Hughes, Ph.D., Qinghua Feng, Ph.D., Sandra O'Reilly, B.S., "Condom Use and the Risk of Genital Human Papillomavirus Infection in Young Women." New England Journal of Medicine 354:2645-265406/22/2006 10/9/06 <http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/354/25/2645>.
