January 2023
Wellness Can’t Wait: Cervical Cancer Is a Preventable Disease
January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. The American Cancer Society estimates about 14,000 new cases of invasive cervical cancer will be diagnosed this year and about 4,200 women will die from it.1
Cervical cancer is a preventable disease if women have routine screenings and receive the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). There are more than 40 HPV types that can infect males and females. Most people who become infected with HPV don’t even know they have it. HPV may cause multiple forms of cancer in men and women, including mouth, throat, genitals and cervix.2
In Illinois, 60% of females and 55% of males ages 13 to 17 have received both recommended two-dose series of the HPV vaccine.3 Although the Illinois numbers are better than the U.S. statistics, they fall short of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Healthy People 2030 goal of 80% vaccination.4
Unlike the tetanus-diphtheria pertussis (Tdap) and meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY) vaccines, the HPV vaccination isn’t a requirement for adolescents entering school in Illinois, despite national recommendations from four leading national medical associations since 2014.5 Although lawmakers in Illinois support access to the vaccine, there are concerns about making it a school mandate. These concerns include the drug's cost, safety and parents' rights to refuse. Others may have moral objections related to a vaccination mandate for a sexually transmitted infection.6
A 2020 study found the most common reason for vaccine hesitancy among parents was safety concerns for their children (23%). Among parents of adolescents who received only one HPV vaccine dose, lack of a recommendation from a health care provider (22%) was the most frequently cited reason for not ompleting the series.7
Cervical cancer is most treatable when it’s diagnosed and treated early. Women who get routine Pap tests and follow up as needed can identify problems before cancer develops. Prevention is always better than treatment.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois promotes preventive health through Wellness Can’t Wait materials and resources for our members. You may want to share this video with your patients. Our vice president and chief medical officer, Derek Robinson, M.D., reminds women to talk with their health care provider about cervical and breast cancer screenings. Your patients also may learn more about cervical cancer screenings by viewing this flyer.
1American Cancer Society, Key Statistics for Cervical Cancer, January 2022. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cervical-cancer/about/key-statistics.html
2Illinois Department of Public Health, Human Papillomavirus https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/hpv.html
3,4,5,7Illinois Department of Public Health, HPV-Associated Cancers in Illinois, June 2021. https://dph.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/idph/publications/idph/topics-and-services/diseases-and-conditions/cancer/hpv-associated-cancers-illinois-part-ii-final-06252021.pdf
6National Conference of State Legislatures, HPV Vaccine: State Legislation and Regulation. https://www.ncsl.org/research/health/hpv-vaccine-state-legislation-and-statutes.aspx
The above material is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for the independent medical judgment of a physician. Physicians and other health care providers are encouraged to use their own best medical judgment based upon all available information and the condition of the patient in determining the best course of treatment. References to other third party sources or organizations are not a representation, warranty or endorsement of such organization. The fact that a service or treatment is described in this material is not a guarantee that the service or treatment is a covered benefit and members should refer to their certificate of coverage for more details, including benefits, limitations and exclusions. Regardless of benefits, the final decision about any service or treatment is between the member and their health care provider.