January Is Cervical Health Awareness Month

Main Category: Cervical Cancer / HPV Vaccine
Article Date: 12 Dec 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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According to the American Cancer Society, 3,870 mothers, daughters, and wives will die from cervical cancer in 2008. Over 11,000 new cases of cervical cancer will be diagnosed by year's end. The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ) is making experts available to discuss risk factors, treatment and prevention options surrounding cervical cancer. CINJ is a Center of Excellence of UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

The most important risk factor in developing cervical cancer is human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Although most HPV infections do not cause cervical cancer, nearly all cervical cancers (99%) are related to HPV, according to the American Cancer Society. HPV infections are common, but some strains can cause dangerous changes in the cells of the cervix that can lead to the development of cervical cancer. Additional risk factors include smoking, poor diet, family history, and not getting an annual pap test.

Signs of cervical cancer include:

-- Abnormal bleeding between periods

-- Bleeding after sexual intercourse

-- Vaginal discharge that has a foul smell or unusual in color

Cervical cancer is preventable when it is detected early. Regular pap tests can find changes in the cervix before cancer develops. It can also find early cervical cancer in its most curable stage.

CINJ experts available for comment include:

Lorna Rodríguez, MD, PhD, chief of Gynecologic Oncology, CINJ, and associate professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Dr. Rodriguez can discuss the importance of annual screenings and the benefits of the cancer vaccination designed to prevent the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is a risk factor in developing cervical cancer.

Mira Hellmann, MD, gynecologic oncologist, CINJ, and assistant professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Dr. Hellmann has an interest in clinical study development and new therapeutics in ovarian, cervical and endometrial cancers.

Wilberto Nieves-Neira, MD, gynecologic oncologist, CINJ, and assistant professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Dr. Nieves-Neira has a long-standing interest in biological therapies, which is directly related to vaccines, specifically the HPV vaccine. He can speak about the HPV vaccination as it pertains to primary healthcare providers and how they address the issue with their patients.

Ami Vaidya, MD, gynecologic oncologist, CINJ, and assistant professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Dr. Vaidya can discuss the procedure of minimally invasive cancer surgery and radical trachelectomy, which is a fertility-sparing surgical procedure for early stage cervical cancer.

Cancer Institute of New Jersey
New Brunswick
NJ 08901
United States
http://www.cinj.org