Faculty of Medical Sciences

School of Advanced Nursing

Education
University of the West Indies

Presenter - RN Michelle Maxine

King
Nursing 3400: Guided Practice in
Oncology Nursing
March 18th 2010
Learning objectives
What is cervical cancer?
What are the risk factors of cervical
cancer? (what increases the chances)
What is a pap smear?
What is the importance of a pap smear?
How often should a woman have a pap
smear?
What is cervical
cancer?
Cervical cancer: A disease of the cervix in
which cells grow uncontrollably and
form a tumor


Cancer of the cervix
Who is at risk for
developing cancer of the
cervix?
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection


Immune system deficiency



Herpes


Smoking


Age


Race


Oral contraceptives
Family history

What can reduce the risk
of cancer of the cervix?
Having yearly pelvic examination and Pap test


Delaying first sexual intercourse until the late

teens or older


Limiting the number of sex partners



Avoiding sexual intercourse with people who have

had multiple partners


Avoiding sexual intercourse with people obviously

infected with genital warts or other sexually
transmitted diseases


Using condoms


Quitting smoking

What is a pap smear?
A pap smear is a screening test to check
for early changes of the cervix
A speculum is introduced into the vagina,
and samples of cells from the cervix are
taken
These cells are smeared unto a slide
Slides are taken to the lab for testing
Pap smear (video)
Importance of a Pap
Smear
Early changes that occur in the cervix can
be seen


Treatment if needed can be started early


90% cases can be prevented from
progressing to Cancer of the CX

How often should a
woman have a pap
smear?
Annually – every year
If a woman has a total hysterectomy
(removal of womb) – no further pap
smears
If woman has removal of womb for cancer
of the cervix – every 2 years needed
(vault smears)
Sexually active women
You do not need to have pap smears done
if you are over the age of 70yrs, and had
three consecutive normal pap smears

Conclusion
Take care of your health – have your pap
smears every year
Tell your loved ones about the importance
of having a pap smear
Government offers pap smears free of
charge
EWMSC – Pap smears are done Mon –Fri
SUMMARY
Risk Factors for cancer of
the cervix
Smoking

Oral Contraceptives

Risk factors for cancer of
the cervix
Herpes and HPV

Multiple sex partners

infections
Reduce the risk of cancer
of cervix
Use Condoms

Quit smoking

Reduce the risk of cancer
of cervix
Limit sex partners/

Annual pap smears

those with S.T.I
References
American Cancer Society (2010), cervical
cancer,
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/


National Cancer Institute (2009), Cervical

cancer, taken from, Retrieved February 5,
2010 from
http://www.cancer.gov/cervical-cancer


Langhorne, M., Fulton, J., & Otto, S., (2007).

Oncology Nursing. 5th Ed. Mosby Inc.

QUESTIONS
THANK YOU !