With January being Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, it’s the perfect time to shed light on the significance of early detection, prevention and treatment options for the disease. It’s especially important to train practitioners considering early detection is oftentimes a critical factor in the ability to treat. Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide, with an estimated 604,000 new cases in 2020 alone. It is also important to note the link between human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer, as nearly all cases of cervical cancer can be attributed to HPV infection (1-3). Research shows that vaccination and screening for HPV can decrease cervical cancer incidence and mortality by at least 80%, but more providers who can perform these procedures are needed (4-5). This blog will describe how students can gain the skills and training needed to protect their patients from the threat of cervical cancer. 

HPV and Cervical Cancer

More than 95% of cervical cancer cases are the direct result of HPV infection. Most sexually active adults will be infected with HPV at some point in their lives, making it the most common viral infection of the reproductive tract. Although most HPV infections clear up on their own, the virus remains active in roughly 20-30% of women, putting them at high risk for precancerous lesions that develop into cervical cancer (1,3). Based on this statistic, the CDC and WHO recommend vaccinating all adolescents against HPV at age 9-14 before they become sexually active. Though only females are at risk for cervical cancer, vaccinating males helps minimize HPV transmission.

HPV Vaccination Training

There are two essential components to HPV vaccination training. The first is how to effectively communicate with parents to help them overcome any hesitancy they may have regarding the HPV vaccine. In fact, the biggest predictor of HPV vaccination acceptance is a strong recommendation from the child’s healthcare provider (8-10). The second component is safe administration of the vaccine to the patient. Clinicians must begin by shaking the HPV vaccine vial well before using sterile technique to draw up the 0.5 mL suspension into a syringe. It is then injected into the deltoid muscle of the upper arm or the upper outer section of the thigh muscle (11). To help educators teach these essential skills, DiaMedical carries vials of Simulated 9-Valent Recombinant HPV Vaccine and the SimLabSolutions Large Injection Trainer. These cost-effective tools can be used to create engaging HPV vaccination simulation scenarios like Same Way Same Day from the American Academy of Pediatrics and Academic Pediatric Association. 

HPV Testing

Though vaccination has been shown to be effective for preventing HPV infection, it does not eliminate the need for periodic Pap smears and regular HPV screening tests. This is attributed to the fact the vaccine protects against most but not all types of HPV that can cause cervical cancer. Midwives, registered nurses and physicians are required to have extensive training in order to perform these intimate pelvic examinations (12). Skills trainers like the Life/form Cervical Exam and PAP Smear Test Trainer create realistic simulations and allow students to practice all of the steps of HPV testing before they perform the test on real patients. This product features soft materials, life-like detail and seven interchangeable cervixes with various conditions. Alternatively, the Life/form Advanced Pelvic Examination and Gynaecological Simulator features an entire lower torso and pelvis with uterus, ovaries and rectum. With this trainer, educators can demonstrate bimanual examination with palpation of the uterus and ovaries in addition to cervical screening tests. 

Key Takeaway

Prevention and early detection are the key components to eliminating the threat of cervical cancer to women’s health. However, effectively training healthcare providers how to administer the HPV vaccine and perform HPV screening tests can be challenging. Simulated vaccine vials, IM injection trainers and cervical exam manikins help to mitigate this challenge and allow students to master essential psychomotor skills before they care for real patients. The DiaMedical team is prepared to help educators balance cost and functionality to find the right equipment and supplies for their healthcare training programs. For more information, reach out to a DiaMedical expert at 877-593-6011 or info@diamedicalusa.com. 

Disclaimer: DiaMedical Does Not Provide Medical Advice 

No material on this page is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a health condition.

1. References
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3. World Health Organization. (2022). Cervical cancer. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cervical-cancer 
4. Zhang, X., Zeng, Q., Cair, W., & Ruan, W. (2021). Trends of cervical cancer at global, regional and national level: Data from the Global Burden of Disease study 2019. BMC Public Health, 21(894).  
5. National Cancer Institute. (2022). Cervical cancer screening. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.gov/types/cervical/hp/cervical-screening-pdq 
6. Phoolcharoen, N., Varon, M., Baker, E., Parra, S., Carbs, J. & Cherry, K. (2022). Hands-on training courses for cervical cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment procedures in low- and middle-income countries. Global Oncology, 8, e2100214. 
7. World Health Organization Regional Office for Southeast Asia. (2017). Training of health staff in VIA, HPV detection test and cryotherapy.New Delhi, India: Author. 
8. Meites, E., Szilagyi, P., Chesson, H., Unger, E., Romero, J., & Markowitz, L. (2019). Human papillomavirus vaccination for Adults: Updated recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. MMWR, 68(32), 698-702.
9. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). HPV cancers. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/parents/cancer.html 
10. American Cancer Society. (2021). Steps for increasing HPV vaccination in practice. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/online-documents/en/pdf/flyers/steps-for-increasing-hpv-vaccination-in-practice.pdf 
11. Osaghae, I., Darkoh, C., Chido-Amajuoyi, O., Chan, W., … Shete, S. (2022). HPV vaccination training of healthcare providers and perceived self-efficacy in HPV vaccine- Hesitancy counseling. Vaccines, 10(12), 2025. 
12. Malo, T., Hall, M., Brewer, N., Lathren, C. & Gilkey, M. (2018). Why is announcement training more effective than conversation training for introducing HPV vaccination? A theory-based investigation. Implementation Science, 13(57). 
13. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2015). Gardasil package insert. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/files/vaccines,%20blood%20&%20biologics/published/Package-Insert---Gardasil.pdf 
14. Public Health England. (2016). NHS Cervical Screening Programme: Guidance for the training of cervical sample trainers. Retrieved from http://www.cytology-training.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/NHS_Cervical_Screening_Progamme_-_guidance_for_cervical_sample_takers.pdf