Better testing tied to cervical cancer decline.Even though cervical cancer Cervical Cancer Definition Cervical cancer is a disease in which the cells of the cervix become abnormal and start to grow uncontrollably, forming tumors. claimed 3,800 lives and was diagnosed in more than 11,000 American women in 2008, improved screening dropped the cervical cancer death rate by nearly 75 percent between 1955 and 1992 and by about 4 percent yearly since then, according to the American Cancer Society American Cancer Society, n.pr established in 1913, this national volunteer-based health organization is committed to the elimination of cancer through prevention and treatment and to diminishing cancer suffering through advocacy, scholarship, research, . About 55 million Pap tests are performed yearly in the United States, with about 3.5 million of those requiring follow-up, the society reported in March. Most cancers of the cervix can be prevented if women have regular Pap tests, which can also detect cancer at the more treatable, early stages. Two new methods are making it easier to screen for abnormal cells: a liquid-based, thin-layer slide preparation and a method that uses a microscope to convey a cellular image to a computer, which analyzes the image for the presence of abnormal cells. Due to extensive research on human papillomavirus human papillomavirus (HPV), any of a family of more than 60 viruses that cause various growths, including plantar warts and genital warts, a sexually transmitted disease. Detectable warts can be or removed, usually by chemicals, freezing, or laser, but often recur. , or HPV HPV human papillomavirus. HPV abbr. human papilloma virus Human papilloma virus (HPV) , which is linked to most cases of cervical cancer, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) is a professional association of medical doctors specializing in obstetrics and gynecology in the United States. It has a membership of over 49,000[1] and represents 90 percent of U.S. updated cervical cancer guidelines in recent years. Women should have their first Pap test three years after first sexual intercourse sexual intercourse or coitus or copulation Act in which the male reproductive organ enters the female reproductive tract (see reproductive system). or by age 21, and women up to age 30 should undergo annual Pap testing. If a woman age 30 or older has negative results on three consecutive annual Pap smears, she may then have her repeat Pap test every two years to three years. Cervical cancer screening guidelines are available at www.acog.org. |
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