Page 2 - Medical Page - The Fayetteville Press Newspaper

Page 2
The Fayetteville Press February 2012 Edition
Medical Page
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African American Women
ERNESTO J.F. GRAHAM, M.D., P.A.
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HPV, or human papillomavirus, is one of
the most common sexually transmitted
diseases in America today.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC), by age 50, at least 80 percent of women will have
acquired a genital HPV infection.
What is HPV?
HPV is an infection that affects skin and mucous membranes,
and can cause warts, both in the genital area and on the hands
and feet. It is transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact
with an infected individual – usually through sexual contact –
and warts or other symptoms do not need to be present for it
to be transmitted.
Currently, up to 20 million Americans have some form of
HPV. There is no known cure for the infection.
There are many types of HPV, and not all of them are
dangerous. Some, however, are known to cause cervical cancer,
as well as cancer of the vagina, vulva and penis.
Often there are no symptoms for this illness, which is why
knowledge is vital in preventing and treating it.
Prevention and Treatment
Cervical cancer – and some forms of HPV – can be prevented
by receiving the HPV vaccine or by getting regular Pap tests.
There are currently two vaccines on the market, Cervarix® and
Gardasil®, which can protect against the types of HPV that
can lead to cervical cancer. The vaccines are given in a series of
three shots and are most effective if given before you become
sexually active. The recommended age to receive the vaccine is
ages 11 to 12, although children as young as nine and adults as
old as 26 may be vaccinated.
The HPV vaccine is not only recommended for girls. The
CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
advises that boys ages 11 to 12 years old should also receive the
HPV vaccine.
HPV
HPV infections cause cancer in 7,000 men each year. That
number – as well as the number of women who obtain HPV
through sexual contact – can be greatly reduced by having
boys vaccinated as well.
Most insurance companies cover the cost of the vaccine,
including Medicaid and Health Choice. Federal vaccination
programs, such as Vaccines for Children, are available to cover
the cost of all three doses for uninsured children.
Regular Pap tests can also prevent HPV from causing cervical
cancer. By getting a regular Pap test, your physician can find
and treat any abnormal cells before they turn into cancer. The
CDC warns that six in ten cervical cancers occur in women
who have never had a Pap test.
Women should receive their first Pap test at age 21, or within
three years of becoming sexually active. They should continue
being tested every two to three years, depending on age and
risk factors. Ask your physician how often you should be
tested. Women who have received the HPV vaccine should still
receive regular Pap tests.
African Americans and Cervical Cancer
Nearly 2,000 African American women are diagnosed with
cervical cancer each year. Forty percent of those women will
die from the disease. In fact, African American women have a
lower five-year survival rate for cervical cancer than any other
ethnicity. Yet, they are 30 percent less likely to receive the HPV
vaccine, compared to whites.
One study indicated that 67.5 percent of African American
women have never even heard of HPV. Yet the disease is
spreading. Talk to your friends and family about HPV, and talk
to your physician about your risks. Take a moment to get the
facts to help prevent the spread of this disease.
For more information on HPV, or on how you can obtain
free or low-cost Pap testing, contact the National Breast and
Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program at (800) CDCINFO.
Listen for Take Charge of Your Health messages on radio stations
Foxy 99.1 FM, Jamz 107.7 FM, Soul 104.5 FM and WIDU 1600 AM.
www.capefearvalley.com
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ERNESTO J.F. GRAHAM, M.D., P.A.
“Proudly serving Fayetteville and
Fort Bragg area for over 15 years”
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