SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – The HPV vaccine is one of the most important tools in the fight against cervical cancer.
The American Cancer Society estimates that around 13,490 new cases of invasive cervical cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2026. They also estimate that about 4,200 women will die from cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer does not discriminate. Any woman with a cervix is potentially at risk, especially those between 35 and 44, but women 50 and older or younger than 30 have also been diagnosed.
Almost all cervical cancers are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), but there are other risk factors that can cause it. Women who are HIV positive, whose immune systems are compromised, are at risk because HIV makes it more difficult to fight health problems. Another major risk is smoking tobacco.
Dr. Andrew Green, the Division Director of Gynecological Oncology at Ochsner LSU Health Hospital, said getting the HPV vaccine, making sure you are seeing your gynecologist for regular check-ups and pap smears, and not smoking.
“We know smoking is a risk factor specifically for progression of your HPV to cervical cancer. So not smoking is the one thing you can really do to modify your health to prevent this.” Dr. Green said. “We know smokers have a much higher risk of not only developing pre-cancer of the cervix, but also developing cervical cancer as well as other GYN cancers.”
Dr. Green said if you are going to do one thing to help yourself in many ways, don’t smoke.
Aside from not smoking, Dr. Green is a staunch advocate for the HPV vaccine. He said the HPV vaccine “works extraordinarily well at preventing cervical cancer.” The cervical cancer specialist said he begs people ot get the HPV vaccine, which is part of pediatric vaccine protocol, and now is approved for women past age 40.
While acknowledging that a pap smear is both physically uncomfortable and invasive, Green said it is a great screening tool that can catch cervical cancer before it develops or detect it at early stages. Louisiana has community health centers that can provide low- or no-cost pap smears and gynecological screenings, encouraging women in rural or low-income areas to seek care.
“Please get the HPV vaccine and just show up to your doctor and get an exam,” Dr. Green said.
January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. If you would like a list of cancer care providers in your area, please visit the Louisiana Department of Health website for a list of mobile cancer screening units and other resources.