January is Cervical Cancer Awareness month and we are
sharing information on how to prevent cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer is the easiest female cancer to prevent with
regular screening tests and follow-up appointments. Cervical cancer most often occurs
in women over the age of 30. Since cervical cancer may not show signs or
symptoms in the early stages it is important to get screened. It is recommended
that women should have regular screening tests to help prevent cervical cancer
as early as 21 years old. Since there are various recommendations for when a
woman should be screened for cervical cancer, we have included an infographic
below for clarity.
There are two tests that help prevent cervical cancer, the
Pap (or Pap smear) test and the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) test. The Pap test
looks for precancerous cells and cell changes on the cervix that could develop
into cervical cancer if they are left untreated. The HPV test looks for the HPV
virus that causes cells to change which can eventually develop into cancer
cells. HPV is the main cause of cervical cancer.
There are other causes that can increase your risk of
cervical cancer such as:
- Smoking
- Having HIV
- Medical conditions that make it difficult for your body to fight off diseases
- Using birth control pills for over five years
- Birthing more than 3 children
Just a friendly reminder to you, the HPV test and the Pap
test do not test for ovarian, uterine, vaginal, or vulvar cancers. Should you
have any unusual signs or
symptoms go to your doctor to find the cause.
If you do not have health insurance, you might be able to
get a free or low cost Pap test through the National Breast Cancer and Cervical
Cancer Early Detection Program. For more information and to learn more go to www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp.
For more information about cervical cancer, you can visit:
References:
Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention. (2013). Cervical cancer
prevention. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/basic_info/prevention.htm
Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention. (n.d.). Cervical cancer:
Inside knowledge. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/pdf/cervical_facts.pdf
National Cancer Institute (n.d.) Cervical cancer prevention. Retrieved
from http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/prevention/cervical/Patient/page3
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