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January is cervical cancer awareness month.

According to National Cancer Institute, there were more than 12,000 women who received a cervical cancer diagnosis last year.

About half of the women diagnosed with cervical cancer are between the ages of 35 and 55. The majority of cases are caused by exposure to the human papillomavirus (HPV), a common sexually transmitted disease. HPV affects up to 80 percent of females and males in their lifetime. Many cases of HPV clear on their own, but certain types of HPV can cause cervical, vulvar and vaginal cancer in females.

Cervical cancer develops in the cervix, the narrow outer end of the uterus that extends into the vagina. When diagnosed early, cervical cancer is generally curable and patients have an excellent chance of recovery. Penn Medicine physicians and scientists are working together to develop new ways to diagnose and treat cervical cancer.

Preventing HPV

Vaccines are now available that protect against four major types of HPV, including the two types that cause about 70 percent of cervical cancer cases as well as the two types that cause about 90 percent of genital warts.

The HPV vaccine is expected to be long-lasting, but because the vaccine does not protect against all HPV types that cause cervical cancer, vaccinated women still need cervical cancer screening (Pap tests and HPV tests). The vaccine does prevent HPV, but does not protect against HPV exposure before vaccination. The HPV vaccine is not a cure for HPV.

Condoms do not protect completely against HPV because they don't cover all of the potential HPV-infected areas of the body. However, condoms do provide some protection against HPV, and they protect against HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.

Although penetrative intercourse is not necessary to get and spread HPV women can do the following to decrease their risk of cervical cancer:

• Stay up-to-date with recommended paps and exams.
• Avoid smoking
• Avoid early onset of sexual activity and sexual activity with people who have had several sexual partners.
• Use condoms
• Try to maintain a healthy immune system
• Limit the amount of sexual partners

Women may avoid HPV, and therefore prevent cervical cancer, by waiting to have sex until they are older and limiting the number of sexual partners. They should also avoid having sex with anyone who has had multiple sexual partners.

Learn more about cervical cancer treatment at the Abramson Cancer Center.

Learn more about the Jordan Center for Gynecologic Cancer.

Learn more about the MacDonald Women’s Cancer Risk Evaluation Center.