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Wear the Gown: Detecting and preventing cervical cancer

Medical experts say screenings and vaccines can go a long way to preventing the disease.

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Cervical cancer typically occurs in those over the age of 30. It is the only female gynecologic cancer that is almost completely preventable, via vaccination or early screening and detection.

"It can really affect any woman," said Dr. Rochelle David, an associate professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UT Health San Antonio. 

She stressed the importance of regular screenings. 

"The way that we can detect these precancerous changes to the cervix is through pap smear screening, which we start at age 21, and screen women up until the age of 65," David said.

Some of the risk factors for cervical cancer include smoking, a weakened immune system from HIV or other ailments, using birth control pills for a long time (typically more than five years), having birthed three or more children and having several sexual partners. 

The biggest risk factor, though, is exposure to the human papillomavirus, or HPV, according to David.

The HPV vaccine is not only meant for women, but also for men because the virus can be spread through sexual intercourse. Right now, the vaccine is approved for those as young as 9 years old up to age 45.

As a medical professional and a mother, David says getting that vaccine early is key.

"I have two daughters. They are 14 and 12, and they both been vaccinated," she said. 

If you or anyone you know is battling any GYN cancer, UT Health has a gynecologic cancer support group called Purple Heals for patients and their families. David attends the meetings and says they have made her a better doctor. 

"(They're helpful) to better understand what they are going through, because that's not quite the conversations we have during the normal office visit," she said. 

The support group meets every third Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Medical Arts Research Center at 8300 Floyd Curl Drive. You can learn more about it here. 

For more information about family health call (210)358-3045. You can also find the rest of Wear The Gown stories, just go to WearTheGown.com

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