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Departments: Health
Teen Behavior Can Boost Cervical Cancer Risk
About 12,800 American
women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer this year, and nearly 4,800
will die from it, according to the American Cancer Society. But research
now shows that the disease’s risk factors can be traced to a woman’s
behavior as a teenager. Vicki Harrison of NEA’s Health Information
Network details what school employees and students should know about the
disease.
What is cancer of the cervix?
The cervix is the part of a woman’s body that connects the vagina
and uterus. During birth, the cervix dilates and allows a baby to pass
from the womb to the birth canal.
Cancer of the cervix doesn’t happen suddenly. Over time, normal
cells change to become precancerous and ultimately cancerous, a process
that can unfold within several months or many years. In some cases, precancerous
cells go away without ever developing into cancer. But, more often, they
need to be treated.
Cervical cancer used to be a common cause of cancer death among American
women. But, between 1955 and 1992, cervical cancer deaths declined by
a staggering 74 percent. This drastic change is attributed to the use
of the Pap test, or Pap smear, for early detection. The American Cancer
Society recom-mends that women begin yearly Pap tests at age 18 or when
they become sexually active.
What causes cancer of the cervix?
Contracting the human papillo-mavirus (HPV) is the most common risk factor.
Sexually transmitted types of HPV––often called “genital
warts”––cause raised, bumpy warts on the skin of the genital
organs and anal area. An estimated 5.5 million Americans are infected
with HPV each year— about 20 million already have it. HPV infection
can cause changes in cervical cells that can be detected with a Pap test.
Other risk factors include smoking, HIV infection, limited access to
health care, and diets low in fruits and vegetables.
Are birth control pills linked to cervical cancer?
Research suggests that there may be a slight risk increase for women who
use oral contraceptives for five or more years. Because many teenage girls
use oral contraceptives––both to prevent pregnancy and in some
cases to reduce acne––more research on the link is needed. Meanwhile,
the American Cancer Society believes that women and teenagers should discuss
with their health care providers whether the benefits of using oral contraceptives
outweigh the risks.
How can cancer of the cervix be prevented?
Most cervical cancers can be prevented by not smoking, delaying the onset
of sexual intercourse, limiting the number of sexual partners, and avoiding
intercourse with people who’ve had multiple partners.
Condoms are highly recommended for protection against sexually transmitted
diseases, but research shows that condoms cannot protect against HPV infection.
This is because HPV can be contracted by skin-to-skin contact with any
HPV-infected area of the body, such as the genital area not covered by
a condom. The virus can also be passed without visible symptoms and can
be present for years before symptoms appear.
Having regular Pap tests to detect HPV infection and precancerous cells
also helps prevent cervical cancer––treatment of these conditions
can stop its progress. Most invasive cervical cancers are found in women
who haven’t had regular Pap tests.
What can educators do to help?
“Educators should include discussions of cervical health as part
of every health or reproduction lesson and inform their students that
pregnancies and multiple sexual partners before the age of 20 increase
the risk of cervical disease,” says cancer survivor Carol Ann Armenti,
a psychologist and director of the Center for Cervical Health in Toms
River, New Jersey. “What young women do at early age can put them
at great risk for cervical disease, and they need to be aware of that.”
Health Resources
- The National Breast and Cervical Health Campaign of the NEA Health
Information Network produces free materials that promote early detection
of breast and cervical cancer. For more information on the campaign
or to order materials, call 800/718-8387.
- The Center for Cervical Health offers free emotional support and
information to women diagnosed with cervical disease. It also provides
testing information and physician referrals. For more information, visit
www.cervicalhealth.com or
call 732/255-1132.
- The Web site of the American College
of Obstetricians and Gynecologists provides information on women’s
health. Sections include adolescent care, patient education, news, a
physician directory, and a resource catalog.
From the NEA Health Information Network
Parenting Guide
Your Adolescent, the new parenting guide from the American Academy
of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, helps parents, caregivers, and others
who work with young people understand and respond to the challenges of
the teen years. The 374-page book describes the developmental milestones
of adolescence and covers practical issues and serious obstacles. To order
a copy ($27.50), visit www.aacap.org
or call Harper Collins at 800/242-7737.
Teaching the Birds and Bees to Kids
Using lively, age-appropriate prose and comic-style artwork, It’s
So Amazing! A Book about Eggs, Sperm, Birth, Babies, and Families,
by author Robie H. Harris and illustrator Michael Emberley, answers questions
younger children have about reproduction and sexuality. After the success
of their award-winning book, It’s Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies,
Growing Up, Sex and Sexual Health, the duo received requests from
educators, librarians and health professionals to do their new book. Topics
in Amazing include love, sex, gender, families, sexuality, sexual
abuse, and HIV/AIDS. To buy a copy, visit a local bookseller or call Penguin
Putnam at 800/788-6262.
Just Say No!
As part of its five-year National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign, the
Office of National Drug Control Policy is distributing drug prevention
information through Web sites. School employees can visit www.teachersguide.org,
for classroom activities, teaching tips and discussion guides. Parents
seeking strategies on raising drug-free kids can check out www.theantidrug.com.
The site includes tips on addressing sensitive subjects such as a parent’s
personal history with drugs.
Contact Us
For information on other resources from the NEA Health Information Network,
call the toll-free, resource hotline at 800/718-8387 (202/822-7572 in
the Washington, D.C. area). Or visit our new Web site at www.neahin.org.
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