Cervical Cancer can be prevented with regular Pap and HPV tests for women 21 – 65 years old. Ask your healthcare professional about the HPV vaccine for ages 9-26.
HPV is a very common infection that spreads through sexual activity, and it causes almost all cases of cervical cancer. Each year, more than 14,000 women in the United States get cervical cancer. About 79 million Americans currently have HPV and many people with HPV don’t know they are infected.
A Pap test can find cell changes to the cervix caused by HPV. HPV tests find the virus and help healthcare providers know which women are at highest risk for cervical cancer. Pap and HPV tests (either alone or in combination) are recommended for women 21 – 65 years old. Each woman should ask her health care provider how often she should be screened and which tests are right for her.
Make sure that your pre-teens get the HPV vaccine. Both boys and girls need the vaccine.
Prevention
- Cervical cancer can often be prevented with regular screening tests and follow-up care.
- The HPV vaccine (shots) can prevent HPV. The vaccine, which protects against several strains of a sexually transmitted infection called human papillomavirus, has been on the market for 12 years; however, it was approved only for people ages 9 to 26. New research led the agency to expand the age range to 45.
Make An Appointment
- Make an appointment for your well-woman visit this year with your Canyonlands Healthcare provider.
- Most insurance plans cover well-woman visits and cervical cancer screening.
- We offer financial assistance so that low-income, uninsured, and under-insured women gain access to breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services.
