BY ANNIE HOLLER
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
An illness that often develops without symptoms remains one of the most preventable cancers facing women today — if it is caught in time. Health providers say routine Pap smears and early HPV vaccination continue to be the most powerful tools for stopping cervical cancer before it becomes life-threatening.
That message is at the center of Cervical Cancer Awareness Month each January, when medical professionals nationwide focus on education, early detection and encouraging women to schedule routine screenings.
A Pap test collects a small sample of cells from the cervix to check for abnormalities that may signal cancer or precancerous changes. The cervix is the lower, narrow end of the uterus that opens into the vagina. When cervical cancer is detected early, treatment is far more likely to be successful.
Tiara Ferrell, an advanced practice registered nurse and board-certified family nurse practitioner who has worked for three years at the Mountain Laurel Integrated Health Care Clinic in Chattaroy, emphasized that screenings and prevention should begin long before adulthood.
“The age recommended for pre-teen girls to receive the vaccinations to prevent the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is between 9 and 12,” Ferrell said. “The vaccines need to be administered prior to the age when some will become sexually active.”
She explained that HPV is a common virus with more than 150 known types, and it spreads through intimate skin-to-skin contact. Most infections clear on their own, Ferrell said, but some high-risk strains can persist and lead to cervical, anal and throat cancers, reinforcing the need for both vaccination and routine screening.
“There are females who fall into the higher risk category to develop cervical cancer besides those with recurring HPV infections,” said Ferrell. “They include those with compromised immunity systems, a family history of cervical cancer, anyone who had an abnormal Pap in the past and those who fail to have yearly exams.”
She said risk is shaped not only by medical history, but also by patterns of exposure over time.
“It’s likely that females who are sexually active will at some time in their life be exposed to an HPV infection, especially those who have multiple sex partners or fail to practice safe sex,” Ferrell said. “Each time they’re exposed, it increases their chances of developing, at the least, precancerous cells. If cancer is detected, a patient’s options may include a partial or complete hysterectomy, and chemotherapy or radiation if the disease has spread beyond the cervix.”
One of the dangers of cervical cancer, she said, is that it often progresses quietly.
“There are times when none exist,” she said of symptoms.
When symptoms do occur, they may include abnormal vaginal bleeding outside the menstrual cycle, unusual discharge, pain during sex or pelvic pain. Ferrell noted that any of these signs should prompt an immediate visit to a physician, who may refer the patient to a gynecologist for further testing.
The American Medical Association recommends Pap smears for all women beginning at age 21, regardless of sexual activity. Women younger than 21 should receive annual screening once they become sexually active.
Women 65 and older, or those who have had a total hysterectomy, typically do not need annual screenings unless they experience new symptoms or complications.
Although some family physicians provide Pap testing, the exam is most often performed by a gynecologist.
For women without insurance or adequate coverage, Ferrell said affordable options are widely available in both Kentucky and West Virginia.
“Many health departments offer no-cost or reduced-cost Pap smears for underinsured patients or those with no coverage,” she said. “There are several community-based clinics that base the cost on your income and will often accept payments far below the normal cost or perform the service for free.”
Still, Ferrell said the programs only make a difference if women use them.
“I encourage all women not to be deterred by cost or lack of insurance, and to visit their health department to see if they qualify for assistance,” she said. “Your commitment to regular exams and testing can be the difference between staying healthy and receiving a diagnosis that no one wants to hear. Please make your health a top priority.”
The Kentucky Women’s Cancer Screening Program is a federally funded public health program providing free breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services to eligible women in Kentucky. Services such as Pap tests and mammograms are available through local health departments and participating clinics. To find the provider nearest you in Kentucky, call toll-free 844-249-0708 or browse the cancer screening program location map at chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dph/dwh/Pages/cancerscreening.aspx,
Likewise, the West Virginia Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program (WVBCCSP) helps eligible uninsured or underinsured women in the Mountain State. Call the WVBCCSP directly toll-free at 800-642-8522 or 304-558-5388 to confirm eligibility and find a participating clinic in your area. Visit dhhr.wv.gov/bccsp/Pages/default.aspx for more information.
Information may also be available at local health departments:
- Martin County: 606-298-7752
- Lawrence County: 606-638-4389
- Johnson County: 606-789-2590
- Floyd County: 606-886-2788
- Mingo County: 304-235-3570
- Wayne County: 304-272-6761