Published Sep 23, 2024

Deeply Concerning 17% Rise in Cervical Cancer Revealed; Almost Entirely Preventable — What You Need To Know About The HPV Vaccine

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Understanding Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer incident rates have risen 17.5 percent between 2012 and 2019, according to the 2024 AACR Cancer Progress Report.
Liz Lange, 58, was diagnosed with cervical cancer back in 2001 when she was 35 years old. She ultimately underwent a hysterectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation treatment, before beating the disease. Now, she wants others to know the importance of Pap smears and early diagnosis, which helped her conquer the disease.
Cervical cancer begins in the cells lining the cervix, the lower part of the womb (uterus). It usually develops slowly, however, before cancer presents itself. Vaginal bleeding or pelvic pains are common symptoms.
Pap smears are one way to detect cervical cancer early. During the test, a doctor will collect a sample of cells from your cervix (using a small brush or spatula). The cells are then examined under a microscope for abnormalities, including cancer and changes that could indicate pre-cancer.
Although it’s unclear what led to Lange’s cancer diagnosis, it’s important to note that more than 70% of cases of cervical cancer are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). More than 90% of HPV-related cancers, including cervical cancer, are preventable in people who get the HPV vaccine that is recommended for all preteens (both girls and boys) 11 to 12 years old.

Cervical cancer, which fashion designer Liz Lange battled in her 30s, is rising among young women in their 30s in the U.S., according to a closely read 2024 Cancer Progress Report put out by the respected organization, AACR.

What You Need to Know About Cervical Cancer

As per the AACR’s report, a recent analysis revealed women between the ages of 30 and 34 years saw a 2.5 percent increase per year between 2012 and 2019.

In total, the incidence of cervical cancer increased by a whopping 17.5 percent during those seven years.

It’s important to note that although these cancers are mostly preventable, a majority of these diagnoses are in people who have the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV vaccines are available to prevent HPV-linked diseases.

Additionally, the report explains cervical cancer screening is “extremely effective in reducing the burden of cervical cancer—these data emphasize the critical importance of public health measures to boost cervical cancer prevention and early detection in the United States.”

It adds, “Research has shown that in young women who were most likely to have received the HPV vaccines, cervical cancer incidence is declining rapidly.

“As one example, in women aged 20 to 24 years, invasive cervical cancer incidence decreased by 65 percent from 2012 to 2019 compared to only by 24 percent from 2005 to 2012.”

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Liz Lange’s Cervical Cancer

Liz Lange, 58, was diagnosed with cervical cancer back in 2001 when she was 35 years old. She ultimately underwent a hysterectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation treatment, before beating the disease.

Lange, who urges the importance of how regular Pap smears and early diagnosis helped her conquer the disease.

Speaking to NIH MedlinePlus Magazine, she explained, “Getting diagnosed with cervical cancer at age 35 was a complete and utter shock. I considered myself very healthy. I was busy, happy, energetic, and had two young kids. I was running a very successful business.

“But when I went in for a regular checkup with my gynecologist following the birth of my second child, my Pap smear indicated I had dysplasia. They said that it was no big deal and that I could wait to have it removed until after a fashion show I was doing. I thought nothing of it at the time. In fact, I didn’t even know what dysplasia was.”

Lange continued, “But when they did follow-up tests on the dysplasia, things were different. I will never forget the day I got the news. I got two messages from my doctor. The first words were, ‘Well, we don’t have good news. You have cervical cancer.’

“It was so surreal. I definitely thought I was going to die. I spent the whole night going into my kids’ bedrooms thinking I would never see them grow up. ”

As for how her diagnosis impacted her life, she says “When you have cancer, you are always waiting for results. And the feeling is overwhelming. It puts things in perspective. Especially in the early years after the diagnosis, I said I would never worry about the little things and that nothing is more important than good health.”

She has since become an advocate for the disease and insists “there is nothing more important” than earlier detection.

“What I learned from having cervical cancer is that one of the keys to surviving is early detection. It is essential. Make sure you are getting all the screening and tests that are recommended. I am also a strong advocate for the HPV vaccine. That is a great advance,” Lange said.

Understanding Cervical Cancer

According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), cervical cancer forms in the cells of the cervix, the lower, narrow end of the uterus (womb) which connected the uterus to the vagina.

“Cervical cancer usually develops slowly over time. Before cancer appears in the cervix, the cells of the cervix go through changes known as dysplasia, in which abnormal cells begin to appear in the cervical tissue,” the NCI explains.

“Over time, if not destroyed or removed, the abnormal cells may become cancer cells and start to grow and spread more deeply into the cervix and to surrounding areas.”

It’s important to know there are two main types of the disease, squamous cell carcinoma (up to 90% of cervical cancers) and adenocarcinoma.

Squamous cell carcinoma forms in the cells of the ectocervix (outer part of the cervix) and adenocarcinoma develops in the glandular cells of the endocervix (inner part of the cervix).

Cervical cancer is often difficult to detect as it doesn’t normally have symptoms until the disease has spread.

The NCI explains that symptoms of early-stage cervical cancer may include:

vaginal bleeding after sex
vaginal bleeding after menopause
vaginal bleeding between periods or periods that are heavier or longer than normal
vaginal discharge that is watery and has a strong odor or that contains blood
pelvic pain or pain during sex

Symptoms of a advanced cervical cancer may include:

difficult or painful bowel movements or bleeding from the rectum during bowel movements
painful urination or blood in the urine

dull backache
swelling of the legs
abdominal pain
fatigue

“These symptoms may be caused by many conditions other than cervical cancer. The only way to know is to see a health professional. If it is cervical cancer, ignoring symptoms can delay treatment and make it less effective,” the NCI explains.

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The Importance of Pap Smears

Pap smears are one way to detect cervical cancer early. During the test, a doctor will collect a sample of cells from your cervix (using a small brush or spatula). The cells are then examined under a microscope for abnormalities, including cancer and changes that could indicate pre-cancer.

This is an important procedure because symptoms of cervical cancer might show up until the disease is at stage 3 or 4. By helping doctors catch signs of the disease early, Pap smears can lead to broader and more effective treatment options.

One of the leading causes of cervical cancer is the human papillomavirus (HPV), one of the most common viruses which can be transmitted through sexual contact. HPV is the biggest risk factor for cervical cancer, and there are usually no early signs or symptoms of the disease. However, cervical cancer can be detected through regular check-ups, such as pap smears.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it’s recommended that women start getting Pap tests at age 21. “If your Pap test result is normal, your doctor may tell you that you can wait three years until your next Pap test,” the CDC explains.

Meanwhile, anyone between 20 and 65 years old is urged to speak with their doctor on which testing option is best for them. The CDC explains, “An HPV test only. This is called primary HPV testing. If your result is normal, your doctor may tell you that you can wait five years until your next screening test.

“An HPV test along with the Pap test. This is called co-testing. If both of your results are normal, your doctor may tell you that you can wait five years until your next screening test. A Pap test only. If your result is normal, your doctor may tell you that you can wait three years until your next Pap test.”

For women older than age 65, the CDC says your doctor may suggest you don’t need further screenings if: “You have had at least three Pap tests or two HPV tests in the past 10 years, and the test results were normal or negative, and you have not had a cervical precancer in the past, or you have had your cervix removed as part of a total hysterectomy for non-cancerous conditions, like fibroids.”

What Is HPV?

Nearly every sexually-active person will get HPV at some point in their lives, but most people with the infection do not know they have it and never develop symptoms or health problems from it. The virus is spread via sexual activity and can manifest as warts on your genitals or mouth.

Get the Facts: HPV Can Cause Cancer in Men Too

When people talk about HPV and cancer risk, they tend to focus on cervical cancer. And while it’s true that nearly all cases of cervical cancer are caused by HPV, people should also be aware that HPV puts both men and women at risk of developing several other cancers as well including cancers of the vagina, penis, anus and throat.

Oral and throat cancers, for example, are both on the rise in young, non-smoking adults, and Dr. Allen S. Ho, an oncologist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, says HPV is the cause.

“The fastest-growing segment of the people developing oral cancers are young non-smokers, ” Dr. Ho told SurvivorNet in a previous interview. “HPV, a very common virus, one responsible for the vast majority of cervical cancers, is now identified as a cause of this rapid rise of oral cancers.”

Learning about the HPV Vaccines

Thankfully, we have three types of HPV vaccines – Gardasil 9, Gardasil and Cervarix. All three went through years of extensive safety testing before being approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the CDC reports that HPV vaccination has the potential to prevent more than 90 percent of HPV-attributable cancers.

The HPV vaccines, like other immunizations that guard against viral infection, stimulate the body to produce antibodies that attack if they encounter the HPV infection by binding to the virus and preventing it from infecting cells.

The HPV vaccine prevents against certain cancers. It’s given to children which has created the misconception that it promotes sex at a young age.

HPV vaccines do not prevent other sexually transmitted diseases or treat existing HPV infections/HPV-caused disease, but their implementation can reduce the rates of certain cancers.

And while Dr. Susan Vadaparampil, the associate center director of community outreach, engagement and equity at Moffitt Cancer Center, previously told SurvivorNet there are few medical strategies that totally prevent against getting cancer in the first place, she emphasized that data from countries with high rates of vaccine coverages shows decreases in HPV-related pre-cancer and cancer, particularly so in the case of cervical cancer.

“We have a safe and effective vaccine to prevent HPV-related cancer,” Dr. Vadaparampil told SurvivorNet. “It is widely available, and costs are typically covered by private or public insurance.”

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Eileen Duffey-Lind, a pediatric nurse practitioner at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Boston Children’s Hospital, echoed Dr. Vadaparampil’s sentiment.

“No one should die of a preventable cancer like those tied to HPV, especially since we have a highly effective and safe vaccine available,” Duffey-Lind previously told SurvivorNet.

Who Should Get the HPV Vaccine?

According to the CDC, the HPV vaccine is recommended for all preteens (both girls and boys) 11 to 12 years old in two doses administered between six and 12 months apart. The series of shots can also be started as early as 9 years old.

That being said, the CDC also says that teens and young adults through age 26 who didn’t start or finish the HPV vaccine series also need the vaccine. And people with weakened immune systems or teens and young adults who start the series between the ages of 15 and 26 should get three doses instead of two.

Additionally, the HPV vaccine is sometimes administered in adults up to 45 years old, but it is not recommended for everyone older than 26. Still, a person older than 26 might decide to get vaccinated after talking to their doctor about possible benefits even though it is less effective in this age range since more people have already been exposed to HPV by this time.