Did you know that January is national Cervical Health Awareness Month? This month, across the country, the National Cervical Cancer Coalition is raising awareness of cervical cancer and the HPV vaccine that can prevent it.
About 13,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year in our country. (1) According to the Department of Health and Human Services, nearly “79 million Americans currently have HPV,” and that “many people with HPV don’t know they’re infected.” (2) That means, almost 1 in 4 people in the U.S. have HPV.
HPV is the primary cause of cervical cancer. The good news is: cervical cancer deaths have dropped by 50% over the past 30 years. (3) And even better news, the HPV vaccine protects women against the types of HPV that cause close to 90% of cervical cancers. The key is screening and vaccination.
When women turn 21, they should get screened via a Pap test. When they turn 30, they should get a Pap test and an HPV test. Women who get regular screening are more likely to catch cancer early and get treatment.
Call us here at Horizon Family Medical Group and make an appointment to get screened. Our healthcare providers are here to help ensure you’re healthy and safe.
Courtesy of nccc-online.org (4)
Resources
- http://www.nccc-online.org/hpvcervical-cancer/cervical-health-awareness-month/
- https://healthfinder.gov/NHO/JanuaryToolkit.aspx
- http://www.cancer.org/latest-news/special-coverage/cervical-health-awareness-month.html
- http://www.nccc-online.org/images/pdfs/10ThingsHPV_CCAM.pdf