Cancer Answers 123

Filed under: Prevention, Cervical CancerThe National Cervical Cancer Coalition launched a campaign against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), the virus that can cause cervical cancer, this month. Once the number one cancer killer of women, cervical cancer is the only cancer known to be caused by a common virus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 4,000 women in America die of cervical cancer every year; and, an estimated 12,000 new cases are diagnosed in the U.S. annually. Most women become infected with HPV in their teens, 20s or 30s; but, it can take nearly two more decades for cancer to develop. During that time, regular Pap tests can detect HPV-related cell changes before they become cancerous. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that women receive their first Pap smear no later than age 21. In November, the ACOG released new recommendations for how often women in their 20s need to Pap smears. In the past, they were recommend annually. Now, it's believed that testing every two years will catch slow-growing cervical cancer. At age 30, women can reduced how often the get Pap smears, getting them every two or three years if they have had three normal tests in a row. Cervical cytology screening is still recommended for women every two years beginning at age 21. The HPV vaccine, which will prevent many strains of HPV, is recommended for 11 and 12 year-old girls. The goal, according to the CDC, is to make sure girls get the vaccine before they become sexually active. Girls and women who are younger than 26 can receive the vaccine if they have not been vaccinated or completed the vaccine series. Check out Aol Health for more information about cervical cancer. Permalink | Email this | Comments

On average, one hundred women a day - every day - are diagnosed with uterine cancer. It’s the most common type of gynecologic cancer in the United States. Many of these women will need to undergo surgery to treat their cancer - and now a new study suggests a woman’s body type may be a factor in the type of surgery she receives.This cancer video from Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center describes what robotic surgery is.