Cervical Cancer

The cervix is part of the female reproductive system – connecting the uterus to the vagina (or birth canal). Cervical cancer is an abnormal growth of cells on the cervix, or an abnormal growth of cells that began in the cervix. Cervical cancer is almost 100 percent preventable through regular screening, avoidance of controllable risk factors, and vaccination against the human papillomavirus (HPV). In 2019, only 41.2 percent of adolescents aged 13 through 17 in Indiana were up-to-date on receiving their shots for the HPV vaccine.¹ Nationally, in 2021, there will be an estimated 14,480 cases of cervical cancer diagnosed and 4,290 deaths due to cervical cancer.² Widespread implementation of Pap testing led to large declines in cervical cancer incidence, but there has been little reduction in cervical cancer rates over the past several years. In Indiana, approximately 278 new cases of cervical cancer and 88 cervical cancer deaths occur annually.³ Indiana females are most often diagnosed with cervical cancer during their middle adult years. During 2017, 85 percent of cervical cancer cases occurred among Indiana females less than 65 years of age, comprised of 37.5 percent of cases occuring among females aged 25-44 and 47 percent among females aged 45 to 64.³

Resources

• Cervical Cancer in Indiana Fact Sheet
• Social Media Toolkit for Cervical Health Awareness Month (January) — This tool kit is designed to strengthen communication efforts and contains evidence-informed communication strategies.
• Indiana Cancer Facts and Figures: Fifth Edition — Provides current statistics and information on cervical cancer in Indiana in convenient PDF form. This can be linked to documents, websites, presentations, or through social media.
• Indiana Cancer Control Plan 2021 – 2022 — Provides a roadmap for cancer control in Indiana. The ICCP includes six focus areas: primary prevention, early detection, treatment, quality of life, data, and advocacy. This can be linked to documents, websites, presentations, or through social media.

Additional and online resources:

• Indiana Breast and Cervical Cancer Program
• Susan G. Komen of Central Indiana
• Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities
• American Cancer Society
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
• National Cancer Institute
• National Cancer Survivorship Resource Center
• National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
• The Patient Advocate Foundation
• American Society of Clinical Oncology: Cancer Treatment and Survivorship Care Plans

References

1. Elam-Evans LD, Yankey D, Singleton JA, Sterrett N, Markowitz LE, Williams CL, Fredua B, McNamara L, Stokley S. National, Regional, State, and Selected Local Area Vaccination Coverage Among Adolescents Aged 13-17 Years – United States, 2019. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2020 Aug 21;69(33):1109-1116. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm6933a1. PMID: 32817598; PMCID: PMC7439984.
2. American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2021. Atlanta, GA: American Cancer Society; 2021.
3. Indiana State Cancer Registry, 2021.