What can you do to prevent cervical cancer? Start with this (source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services):

• Get your well-woman visit this year. (Most insurance plans cover well-woman visits and cervical cancer screening. This means that, depending on your insurance, you can mostly likely get these services at no cost.)
• Talk to your pre-teens about getting the HPV vaccine. Both boys and girls need the vaccine.

Here are some things to know about HPV and cervical cancer (according to National Cervical Cancer Coalition):

VACCINATION

HPV vaccines can help prevent infection from both high risk HPV types that can lead to cervical cancer and low risk types that cause genital warts. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends all boys and girls get the HPV vaccine at age 11 or 12 as the vaccine produces a stronger immune response when taken during the preteen years. For this reason, up until age 14, only two doses are the vaccine are required. The vaccine is available for all males and females through age 45 but, for those 15 and older, a  full three-dose series is needed.

TESTING

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 over 30: each woman should ask her health care provider how often she should be screened and which tests are right for her.

Learn many other facts about cervical cancer here.

By raising awareness, we can all work together to help women protect themselves from cervical cancer.

Visit Genesis and schedule your annual well-woman check-up and screening.