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DEPARTMENT OF OB/GYN EMPHASIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF HPV AWARENESS AND SCREENING Livingston, N.J -- According to a recent survey, only 40 percent of women who responded had ever heard of the human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and its link to cervical cancer. Additionally, less than 20 percent of the women who took the Health Information National Trends Survey knew that HPV could sometimes lead to cervical cancer. The survey polled 3,076 women ages 18 to 75 years of age. In June 2006, the US Food and Drug Administration approved the first vaccine to block infection by certain high-risk types of HPV. The vaccine is recommended for women 9 to 26 years of age. “We need to address this gap in knowledge and help women to make an informed decision to prevent HPV and cervical cancer,” says Richard Miller, M.D., Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Saint Barnabas Medical Center. Health officials estimate that more than 50 percent of sexually active women and men will be infected with one or more types of HPV in their lifetimes. Vaccine proponents say it could substantially reduce the nearly 4,000 cervical cancer deaths that occur each year in the United States. Pap Screening The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) emphasizes that Pap screening should begin within three years of sexual intercourse (or by age 21) and then annually until age 30. After 30, most women can continue annual testing or can choose to be tested every two to three years after three consecutive negative Pap tests. While the vaccine protects against HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18, there are additional HPV strains that can cause cervical cancer. Pap testing can detect abnormal cervical cells caused by other HPV strains not covered by the vaccine. The HPV Vaccine According to ACOG, the recently approved vaccine shows great promise for controlling the spread of the main types of HPV that cause cervical cancer and genital warts. The HPV vaccine is most effective when administered to girls and women before the onset of sexual activity. The vaccine was approved for use in girls as young as 9, up to age 26. The Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended that the vaccine be routinely given to girls beginning at age eleven. Given in a series of three shots over six months, the vaccine protects against four strains of HPV responsible for 70 percent of cervical cancers and 90 percent of genital warts cases. With widespread use, HPV vaccination has the potential to lower the occurrence of cervical cancer worldwide. Saint Barnabas Medical Center meets the needs of women throughout the lifecycle. The Medical Center delivers more babies than any other hospital in New Jersey, with approximately 6,400 births annually, ranking Saint Barnabas 13th in the nation in births. The four subspecialty Divisions within the Department provide outstanding medical care for women with gynecologic cancers; those with high-risk or complicated pregnancy; women with conditions that effect fertility and hormonal issues; and women with urogynecologic conditions including pelvic organ prolapse. The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology can be reached by calling (973) 322-5282. CONTACT: PUBLIC RELATIONS (973) 322-9904 [ top ] |
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