One of the most common cancers in women is cervical cancer. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, about 1 in 152 Canadian women is expected to develop cervical cancer during her lifetime. At the latest Speaker Series event – Women’s Health & Gynecologic Cancers – Dr. Michael Shier, Medical Director of the Colposcopy Unit at Sunnybrook, talked about the three pillars of cervical cancer prevention: the Pap test, colposcopy and vaccination.
The Pap test
The Pap test collects a small sample of cells from the cervix, which are then examined in a lab to look for abnormal changes. Dr. Shier says it’s an effective test because it’s simple to do, and cancers originating from the cervix take a long time to develop. Depending on where you live in Canada, and the results of your last Pap, this test should be done every 1 to 3 years.
Colposcopy intervention
If your Pap test comes back with abnormal results, your doctor may recommend a colposcopy. This test using a special instrument called a colposcope to microscopically examine your cervix. If an abnormality is detected, a treatment plan can be set into motion. There are several outpatient treatments for pre-cancers, and Sunnybrook has one of the best equipped units in Canada to deliver these options to women.
Vaccination
Dr. Shier says vaccination is a key area of cervical cancer prevention. Almost all cervical cancers (99.7%) are triggered by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), one of the most common sexually transmitted viruses in North America. The lifetime risk of acquiring one of the cancer causing strains of HPV infection is 70-90%. Dr. Shier says trials of the HPV vaccine have shown nearly 100% effectiveness, a very low risk of adverse reactions, and no booster doses needed so far (based on 10-year follow-up data). And unlike the flu, a virus that mutates, HPV does not so the same vaccine is effective over time. The Ontario HPV Vaccine Program has offered the vaccine free for girls in grade 8, and was just expanded to include girls in grade 7 and boys later this year. Dr. Shier says HPV vaccine is also recommended for all women up to age 45 and men up to the age of 26.
