January is Cervical Health Awareness Month. It’s a time to raise awareness about a cancer that over 13,000 women are diagnosed with each year in the United States. With the help of vaccinations and screenings, it’s one of the most preventable and treatable cancers today.
What is Cervical Cancer?
Cervical cancer starts in the cells of the cervix. Gradually over time, the normal cells in the cervix develop abnormal changes that can turn into cancer. Although cervical cancers start from abnormal cells, only some women with these changes develop cancer. Most abnormal cells go away on their own without treatment.
The two main types of cervical cancer are squamous cell carcinoma, which makes up 90% of diagnoses, and adenocarcinoma. The type you have depends on where the cancer cells develop around the cervix.
Cervical Cancer Prevention
Three preventive services for women, covered by your health plan, are the pap test, human papillomavirus test (HPV) and a pelvic exam. Each looks for abnormal cells before they turn into cancer.
- Pap test – recommended for women ages 21 and older, every three years. Your doctor will collect cells and mucus from your cervix and surrounding areas. A pathologist reviews the samples to see if your results are normal or abnormal. Abnormal doesn't necessarily mean you have cervical cancer, so be sure to talk with your doctor about next steps.
- HPV test – recommended for women ages 30 or older and can be done at the same time as a Pap test. HPV is the leading cause of cervical cancer in the U.S. and there are many different types. Like the Pap test, your doctor will collect cells to test for HPV. Doctors may not always check for HPV, so ask your doctor at your next well-woman exam what's best for you.
- Pelvic exam – to check for signs of disease in the pelvic area. Doctors use pelvic exams to check your cervix, fallopian tubes, ovaries, rectum, uterus and vulva. The exam checks for different things other than the Pap and HPV tests and can be done separately or at the same time.
Cervical Cancer Risk Factors
Several factors can boost a woman's risk for cervical cancer:
- HPV infection - Women carrying HPV have a higher risk for developing cervical cancer. HPV infections are spread through sexual contact. The virus does not harm everyone with HPV. A strong immune system can fight it off. Only a small portion of women with HPV develop cervical cancer.
- Weak immune system - Immunosuppression increases the risk that HPV leads to cervical cancer. When the immune system is weak, it's difficult for the body to fight infections like HPV and other diseases.
- DES exposure - Diethylstilbestrol is a synthetic form of the estrogen hormone. The drug was prescribed to women to prevent pregnancy complications between 1940 and 1971. DES was later linked to cancer of the cervix in a small group of women. While the drug is no longer prescribed, the daughters of women exposed from 1940 to 1971 have an increased risk of developing a rare form of cancer.
This January, and beyond, we encourage you to learn more about cervical cancer and help take steps to eliminate this preventable cancer. Check out the National Cervical Cancer Coalition to get involved.
Remember, well-woman exams are no extra cost and included in your health plan. Early detection screenings are key to helping you stay healthy.
Resources for TRS-ActiveCare and TRS-Care Standard
Find an in-network OB-GYN:
Resources for TRS-Care Medicare
Finding a doctor is the first step for receiving Medicare-covered preventive Pap and pelvic exams with no coinsurance, copayment or deductible.
Covered screenings include:
- Pap tests and pelvic exams are covered once every 24 months for all women.
- You are covered for one Pap test every 12 months if you're at high risk of cervical or vaginal cancer or are of childbearing age and had an abnormal Pap test in the past three years.
- For asymptomatic women between 30 and 65, get HPV testing once every five years, in conjunction with your Pap test.
- There is no coinsurance, copayment or deductible for Medicare-covered preventive Pap and pelvic exams.