BLUEFIELD, W.Va. -The month of January brings Cervical Cancer to the forefront as doctors work to not just raise overall awareness but to inform the public and hopefully save lives.
“Cervical cancer is a very big problem in our country and around the world. It’s one of the top 15 cancers by prevalence, and it also is fatal for patients that are diagnosed with more advanced disease, and so, screening for this cancer is very important. There’s been a huge improvement in the outcomes for patients with cervical cancer. Patients nowadays have an excellent chance of being cured of this cancer if it’s found early enough,” said Dr. Joseph Baisden, Radiation Oncologist, Bluefield WVU Medicine PCH.
Dr. Baisden says what professionals recommend for screenings.
“The current recommendations for cervical cancer screening are starting at age 21 up to age 65 and should have a pelvic exam with a pap smear every three years unless abnormalities are found and then it would likely be more frequent at the discretion of the physician that does the exam,” continued Dr. Baisden.
Comparing numbers in West Virginia to the rest of the country can be daunting.
“So, thinking about what our problems are locally here in Southern West Virginia, with regard to cervical cancer, we have 50 percent higher incidence of cervical cancer compared to the rest of the country, and we have a 50 percent higher death rate from cervical cancer compared to the rest of the country. It’s my belief that this is, you know, lack of resources, lack of education, lack of seeking out screening as well as lack of utilization of the vaccination for this type of cancer,” said Dr. Baisden.
For those concerned about the vaccine Dr. Baisden breaks down the number.
“ It’s a vaccine that’s recommended for young adults, usually age 11 and 12, but it’s also available for folks at least up to age 26. For folks who get the vaccine before age 17, they have a 90 % reduction in cervical cancer. Now that’s not just for cervical cancer. That HPV also causes certain kinds of throat cancer like tonsil cancer and anal cancer. So, this is a vaccine that works against at least three different types of cancer. So, it’s an excellent tool that hopefully can reduce the burden of these types of cancers by 90 percent if we can use it,” said Dr. Baisden.
To reduce your chances of getting cervical cancer Dr. Baisden said this.
“Just try and do your best to cut your risk factors and that would be for all cancers, including, you know, tobacco use, eat a healthy diet and exercise, and now we know even alcohol use is associated with cancers. So do your best to reduce those, but also seek screening because those are the big home runs, we’ve made in cancer care during my lifetime,” said Dr. Baisden.
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