Eastern Michigan University’s Women’s Resource Center held a discussion on cervical cancer awareness Thursday, Jan. 21, in the Student Center.
Jenni Hoffman, PhD, assistant professor of nursing, discussed with the 5 attendees facts about cervical cancer, prevention, and early detection in recognition of Cervical Health Awareness Month.
Hoffman feels that all students could benefit from learning more about cervical cancer.
“It raises awareness,” she said. “Human papilloma virus is the number one risk factor. Do what you can to protect yourself, use safer sex practices, get vaccinated, use condoms with each sex act and get regular screenings.”
Hoffman emphasized the importance of the pre-cancer stage. In this stage, many cervical abnormalities can be found. In some cases, changes in the cervix are not important. In others, these changes can show lesions that are precancerous or cancerous.
She said that many abnormalities involve squamous cells called cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. It is categorized on a scale from 1 to 3. Low grade is CIN 1, which requires only follow up.
Two-thirds of cervical cancer is caused by high risk HPV types 16 and 18. The low risk types of HPV 6 and 11 can cause genital warts.
Types CIN 2 and 3 are considered high grade and require further treatment. Treatment prevents cervical cancer from becoming invasive.
Risk factors of cervical cancer were explained. She said that hormonal changes in younger women, poverty, multiple full term pregnancies, and medical history can all increase your risk of cervical cancer.
She encouraged women to get vaccinated and said girls and boys should get a Gardasil vaccination against HPV ideally prior to beginning sexual activity and ages 11 and 12.
Kya Fordham, freshman and Women’s Resource Center health programmer, feels that it’s important for young people to become more informed on the subject.
“Students should know their health status and pay attention to the different diseases that are going around and watch the risk factors that play into those,” she said. “It’s important to be aware. I want them to know the resources that are out there.”
Megan Kopicko, sophomore majoring in human resource management, heard about this discussion through her women’s gender studies professor, Dyann Logwood. She was very impressed with the information she gained.
“I’m glad that the death rate is decreasing. Sometimes young people would rather be ignorant and not know about it. They might not have any symptoms,” she said. “Every woman should be screened regardless of how awkward it is.”
Sophomore Bryce Feiler feels this topic should not be ignored.
“People think they are invincible and feel it can’t happen to them but it can,” he said. “When it comes to talking about sex, people tone it out because it is awkward. Cancer is a serious issue and needs to be discussed.”
