“Idon’t want cervical cancer to happen toanother woman. This is the only cancerthat we know both the cause and how to

potentially wipe it out. No one is talking about it!Why aren’t we talking about HPV and tellingwomen about how to get screened for it?”

For more information, visit www.theisisproject.org

Cancer is a scary disease. But cervical cancer is one ofthe few types of cancers that can actually beprevented.

Prevention of cervical cancer is possible by finding outif you have a virus called the human papillomavirus, orHPV. Certain “high-risk” types of HPV are now knownto cause most cases of cervical cancer.

In the past, doctors have relied on the Pap test todetermine who is at risk for cervical cancer. The Paptest looks for abnormal cells in the cervix that arecaused by HPV. If these abnormal cells are found early,they can be treated before they turn into cancer.Thanks to the Pap, the number of women whodevelop cervical cancer has decreased dramatically.

However, the Pap test is not foolproof, since it cannotdetect HPV directly.When the Pap test is done byitself, abnormal cells may be missed or may not beseen early enough to prevent cervical cancer.

Protect Yourself Against Cervical Cancer

Protect Yourself Against Cervical Cancer

Good news! You now can have another test along with your Papthat determines if you have HPV. There is only oneHPV test approved by the U.S. Food and DrugAdministration (FDA). The test uses advancedtechnology to detect the genetic (DNA) code of HPV.

If you are age 30 or over (when cervical cancer ismost likely to occur), it’s recommended that you havethe HPV test along with a Pap, to increase yourdoctor’s ability to protect you against cervical cancer. Ifyou are under 30, your doctor may order an HPV testif your Pap result is unclear or abnormal.

Get the

HPVtest For Peace of Mind

What do you need to do to get the HPV testalong with your Pap?If you have additional questions about the HPV test, goto the Web site www.theisisproject.org or talk to yourdoctor, nurse or other healthcare provider. Do not beafraid to ask questions!

If you are 30 years of age or older and decide youwant to have the HPV test along with your Pap, tellyour healthcare provider before your next visit.

Get the extra peace of mind that comes fromknowing that you’ve done everything you can toprotect yourself from cervical cancer.

This brochure was made possible through aneducational grant from Digene Corporation.

—Tamika L. Felder

Cervical CancerSurvivor & Activist

“A“All women should know about and haveaccess to the most up-to-date cervicalcancer screening technologies. Take the

time to talk to your doctor about getting screened- because you are worth it!!”

—Lucille C. Norville Perez, MD

National Health DirectorHealth Advocacy Department

NAACP

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HPV is a common virus. In fact, it’s estimated that 8 out of every 10 people get HPV at some point intheir lives.

How does a person get HPV in the first place? High-risk types of HPV that cause cervical cancer arespread through sex or intimate skin-to-skin contact.HPV can “hide” in the cervical cells for a long periodof time and not be detected. There are no warningsymptoms for HPV.

If a woman has HPV, does that mean shewill get cancer?No! Most women fight off the virus before it causesany problems. It’s only when high-risk types of HPVdon’t go away that abnormal cells can develop.

Doesn’t a Pap test detect HPV?Not exactly. The Pap cannot detect HPV directly.A laboratory technician looks at a sample of yourcervical cells under a microscope for signs of abnormalchanges, which are caused by the virus. While the Papcan identify many women in need of treatment, it isnot foolproof.

The Link Between HPV and Cervical Cancer Understanding Your Test Results

Protect Yourself! Get Both the Pap and HPV Tests

The chart below explains what your HPV and Pap results mean to you, as well as how often you should get the HPVtest. It is based on recommendations developed by a panel of experts from the National Cancer Institute, theAmerican Society of Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology, and the American Cancer Society.

Looks For How it WorksPap Test

Signs of abnormal cellchanges

A lab professionallooks at a sample ofcervical cells througha microscope

HPV Test

The virus that causesthe abnormal cellchanges that can leadto cervical cancer

A computerizedmolecular test isdone on either thesame sample ofcervical cells collectedfor the Pap, or on aseparate sample

Normal Pap (and are age 30 or over) *

Inconclusive Pap (ASC-US) Abnormal Pap

Do nothave HPV

Good news! You can restassured that you are not at riskfor cervical cancer, and do notneed to be retested for HPVfor 3 years!

However, your doctor will needto see you next year for otherimportant women’s healthchecks, such as a pelvic andbreast exam.

There is probably nothing toworry about, but you shouldrepeat the Pap and HPV tests in12 months, just to be sure.

Even though cervical disease ishighly unlikely if you do nothave HPV, it still is important tounderstand why your cells lookabnormal.

Your doctor will likely perform aprocedure called a colposcopythat allows your cervix to bemore closely examined. Insome cases, a sample of tissuewill be taken for analysis.

Have HPV It’s recommended that you have another HPV and Pap testin 6-12 months. If either test isabnormal at that time, yourdoctor will likely do acolposcopy, a procedure thatallows your cervix to be moreclosely examined. Depending onwhat your doctor finds, this willallow treatment to be startedimmediately and early, if needed.

A colposcopy is recommendedso that your cervix can bemore thoroughly examined.

Your doctor will do acolposcopy to better examineyour cervix.

*If you are under age 30, current guidelines say you do not need to be tested for HPV unless your Pap result is unclear or abnormal.

Who should have the HPV test? Cervical cancer is less of a risk in women younger than30. Thus, in women younger than 30, medical expertssuggest that the HPV test be done only when the Papis not clearly abnormal, but not clearly normal either.

Once a woman reaches the age of 30, the HPV test isapproved for routine use, at the same time as the Pap,for every woman.

Will insurance pay for the HPV test?Most major insurance companies pay for the HPV testif your doctor follows the guidelines for HPV testingissued by medical organizations such as the AmericanCollege of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and theAmerican Cancer Society.

However, there are still some insurance plans that donot yet pay for routine HPV testing in women 30 andolder.Therefore, it is best to check in advance.

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