Cervical Cancer

Three Rogel Cancer Center researchers have received new grants from the American Cancer Society for projects focused on cervical cancer screening, genetic testing and glioblastoma. The grants, which include a Research Scholar Grant to Diane Harper and two postdoctoral fellow grants, total $1.16 million.

National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers and leading cancer organizations issued a joint statement urging the nation’s physicians, parents and young adults to get back on track with the human papillomavirus, or HPV, vaccination.

This research emphasizes the harms of making colorectal cancer screening independent from cervical cancer screening instead of linking them together as part of important preventative care.

Research has proved the HPV vaccine is effective, but vaccinations should also be coupled with preventive cervical cancer screening.

Despite the fact that half of cervical cancers are diagnosed after age 49, participation in preventive screening steadily declines between ages 45 and 65.

Many cancer patients use alternative medicine, including supplements, massage therapy, yoga, and acupuncture, while undergoing conventional cancer care. Such therapies are usually acceptable, but patients must discuss such therapies with their oncologist, because interactions may occur.

The University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center has partnered with 69 other National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers to issue a statement urging for increased HPV vaccination and screening to eliminate HPV-related cancers, starting with cervical cancer.