January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month! Cervical cancer is mainly caused by infection from certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV). Anyone with a cervix is at risk for developing cervical cancer, and it most often occurs in women over 30 years of age. HPV is a common virus and is passed from person to person during sex. While nearly half of women will have HPV at some point in their life, few cases will develop into cervical cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, 8 new cases of Cervical cancer were reported for every 100,oo0 women in the United States. 

When detected early, Cervical cancer is highly treatable. Ways to reduce your risk involve getting the HPV vaccine if you haven’t already and you are under the age of 26 and having screening tests done regularly. These screening tests include a Pap smear and HPV test. For more information, call your healthcare provider or visit the CDC’s Cervical Cancer page. Call us today or click here to schedule your Cervical cancer screening appointment!

Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Cervical Cancer”, https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/index.htm