January’s almost over, but here’s something you might not know it’s Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. The Florida Department of Health in Charlotte County wants to shine a light on how important it is to prevent cervical cancer, catch it early, and spread the word about it.
Cervical cancer, cancer of the cervix, is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide. In Florida alone, over 1,000 women get diagnosed each year. Here’s the good news: if doctors catch cervical cancer early, even before you notice any symptoms, it’s usually curable.
Let’s talk about screening. The Pap test looks for abnormal cells in the cervix, and the HPV test checks for the human papillomavirus that can cause those changes. These tests help prevent cervical cancer or find it when it’s easiest to treat. When doctors spot abnormal cells early and treat them, you can stop cervical cancer before it starts, or cure it.
Don’t guess about when to get screened. Talk with your healthcare provider. Here’s what most experts recommend:
If you’re 21 to 29, get a Pap test every three years.
If you’re 30 to 65, you’ve got options: a Pap test every three years, HPV testing alone every five years, or both tests together every five years.
Some women worry about the cost of screening, but there’s help. The Florida Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program offers free or low-cost testing for women ages 40 to 64 who have low income or no health insurance. Early detection really makes a difference. If you want to see if you’re eligible, call 941-861-2676 or visit the Florida Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program online.
The Florida Department of Health, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works hard to protect, promote, and improve health for everyone in Florida, connecting efforts across the state and in local communities.
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