The revelation by sportscaster that she suffered from cervical cancer during last fall's football season, and a scary new report showing deaths from cervical cancer to be far higher than previously thought are raising new alarms about the seldom discussed disease, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
Dr. Steven Kalter, an oncologist at San Antonio's START Center for Cancer Care says the key is regular examinations, and he says because of the highly personal nature of the examinations, many women shy away from them.
"Early detection is important, and Pap smears can be life saving," he said. "The important thing is, it has to be done."
The report published in the journal Cancer shows that white women are dying from cervical cancer at a rate 47% higher than previously thought, and for black women that death rate is 77% higher.
Dr. Kalter says since there is a direct connection between human papillomavirus and cervical cancer, vaccinations of young girls, and boys, against HPV is critical.
"It is important that young women know that this disease can be prevented through vaccination against HPV," he said.
Ten years ago, then Gov. Rick Perry attempted to have HPV vaccination for children between 10 and 12 included in the mandatory 'no shots no school' inoculation program. But the governor had to back off after objections from evangelicals that by mandating HPV vaccinations, the state was essentially giving young people 'permission to become sexually active.'
Dr. Kalter says we need to get away from that thinking and take advantage of vaccines which are known to save lives.
He says the problem with cervical cancer is it has no immediate symptoms, and frequently by the time it is diagnosed, it is too late and has spread.
"Women can assume they are well and they are not affected by the disease, and this can go on for months and years, while the disease is slowly creeping into their body."
Dr. Kalter says because of the sexual nature to the disease, it should be considered a 'venereal disease.' He points out that men can get variants of cervical cancer, generally through contact with the vaginal area of an infected female, so it should not simply be considered a 'woman's disease.'