JANUARY—CERVICAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

Regular Pap Test Key to Cervical Cancer Prevention 

Cervical cancer in women is nearly 100 percent preventable and curable if it is detected early. 

To protect yourself against invasive cervical cancer, get a regular health check up that includes a Pap test and pelvic exam. Most precancerous conditions of the cervix can be detected with a Pap test and treated before cancer develops. 

A Pap test can be done in a doctor’s office.  It is a simple, painless test to detect abnormal cells in and around the cervix. 

The human papillomavirus (HPV) causes almost all cases of cervical cancer. HPV is a common sexually transmitted virus that usually goes away by itself and rarely leads to cervical cancer. Most people with HPV never even know they have it.  

How often should you have a Pap test screening?

The American Cancer Society and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend that women should be regularly screened for cervical cancer beginning 3 years after they start having sexual intercourse, but no later than age 21.  Then screening should be done every year with a regular Pap test or every 2 years with the newer liquid-based Pap test.  Some women age 30 and older who have had 3 normal Pap tests in a row may need to be tested every 2 or 3 years.

Talk to your doctor about the screening schedule that is best for you.  Follow through on that schedule.   

Sources:  National Cervical Center Public Education Campaign, www.cervicalcancercampaign.org and the National Cervical Cancer Coalition, www.nccc-online.org.