“Since the late 1800s, researchers have suspected that cervical cancer was sexually transmitted.” Planned Parenthood continues in their publication HPV 5 The Most Common Sexually Transmitted Virus: “Medical reports [back then] noted that nuns and virgins were not likely to have cervical cancer, and that women who were married to men who traveled a great deal or who had previous wives who died of cervical cancer were more likely to develop [the disease].”
It is now known that a majority of female reproductive cancers are linked to particular strains of the human papilloma virus (HPV), and experts warn that the disease may extend itself in the forms of penile, testicular, and rare but deadly anal cancers in males as well.
While almost all cervical cancer is now linked to the disease, lifestyle factors such as diet, smoking, and other pre-existing conditions elevate risk levels.
HPV exists in in about 100 different strains, 40 or so being sexually transmittable. Of those 40, only a handful are known to lead to cancer, and two are linked to common genital warts. While those odds may sound comforting, another statistic must be cited to counteract that impression of innocuousness: Planned Parenthood estimates that up to 75 percent of all sexually active adults are projected to transmit some form of the virus in their lifetimes.
Considering the risk factor, it would appear that that testing for the disease should be an utmost priority for NEIU’s Student Health Services.
Thankfully, Nurse Director Jessica Letto assures that “We’ve been offering the test for years.” The cost for an on-site pap smear? $0 under the student health insurance plan, and $58 without it.
Letto stresses the importance of regular examinations, warning that “even if you’re married and / or monogamous, infection can still occur” due to possible partner infidelity, long exposure times and the infrequent shedding of skin that transmits some strains of HPV.
She also notes that condoms are not a reliable way of protecting oneself against this particular STD as transmission occurs through skin to skin contact, and condoms do not protect the entire prone region. Tests are recommended once a year for females.
Vaccinations are available for cancer-causing strains of the virus and are recommended for 9- to 26-year-old women. Unfortunately, the three-part inoculation is prohibitively expensive for NEIU to keep on hand, “about $300 at cost” said Jessica Letto, who adds that “it also, unfortunately, has a brief shelf life.”
NEIU could conceivably stock the vaccine, provided that enough people signed on to warrant buying it in bulk and using it before its rapid expiration. A cheap, vaccination will be available through Planned Parenthood in June at a cost of about $400 for the three-part series.
Currently, NEIU’s on-campus clinic provides free pap smears as well as testing for AIDS, gonorrhea, and Chlamydia for both men and women.
Condoms are distributed free of charge, and low- cost birth control rings and pills are available. The pill offered by NEIU is soon to change, so those already on birth control through the school are urged to stop by the clinic for more information. Appointments can be made any time Monday through Thursday by calling Cathy Kuenstler at 773.442.5803.