Cervical Cancer Screening in Georgia

Nearly 90 percent of Georgia women are taking action to prevent cervical cancer, according to the latest report from the Georgia Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), the state s primary source of information on major health risk behaviors. This means that last year, 3,430,000 Georgia women over the age of 18 were tested for cervical cancer, while 343,000 were not.

"The good news is that almost 90 percent of women were screened last year," said Dr. Stuart Brown, director of the Division of Public Health. "However, many more deaths could be avoided if more of the remaining 343,000 women were tested. January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. This is a perfect time to bring up the subject with friends and loved ones, and encourage them to see their doctor or healthcare provider for cervical screening."

When caught early enough, the five-year survival rate for pre-cancer of the cervix is nearly 100%, and for early stage or localized cervical cancer it is 92 percent. Every year, more than 400 Georgia women are diagnosed with cervical cancer. In this day and age, no woman should die from cervical cancer. Unfortunately, an estimated 120 women die of this disease in our state each year.

Symptoms of early stage cervical cancer or pre-cancer are not easily identified and often have no signs or symptoms. Fortunately, the vast majority of cases are diagnosed during testing. A Pap test can detect cervical cancer before it spreads or even develops " dramatically improving

the odds of surviving the disease. It is the most important thing women can do to protect themselves from cervical cancer. Women should talk with their doctor or health care provider about recommendations for routine cervical cancer screening.

DHR offers a statewide breast and cervical cancer detection program, widely known as BreasTEST & MORE (BTM.) The program offers pelvic examinations, Pap tests, and clinical breast examinations at low or no cost to eligible women. BTM is offered by more than 200 public health clinics and selected nonprofit agencies across Georgia. Call your county health department and ask for the BreasTEST & MORE program coordinator to find out if you may be eligible.

Women living in rural Georgia have a higher incidence of cervical cancer than do women living in urban areas. In addition, African American women in rural Georgia have the highest incidence rate, and white women living in urban Georgia have the lowest incidence of cervical cancer. Women of all ages, races, and geographical locations need to talk with their doctor or health care provider about regular cervical cancer testing.

"Regrettably, many women in their middle years and women who have stopped having children think screening is no longer necessary," Brown said. "The most common form of cervical cancer starts with detectable, pre-cancerous changes. When it comes to cervical cancer, there are several risk factors that can increase the likelihood of developing this type of cancer." Infection with human papilloma virus (HPV) is a major risk factor for the development of cervical cancer. Other r isk factors for the development of cervical cancer include increasing age, smoking, and HIV infection.

While FDA approval of the HPV vaccine is one of the most important advances in women's health in recent years, it is still important for women to follow the American Cancer Society (ACS) guidelines for cervical cancer screening. Women 21 and older need to have a regular Pap test to check for cervical cancer. Younger women who have started having sexual intercourse also need a regular Pap test.

"This is a simple test," Brown said. "It takes a doctor just a few minutes to collect a sample of cells from the cervix. The Pap test can detect abnormal cells that may develop into cancer or that are in the early stages of cancer."