During Cervical Health Awareness Month, the Florida Department of Health in Orange County (DOH-Orange) encourages women to visit their health care provider to be screened for cervical cancer, and learn more about preventing cervical cancer through lifestyle change and vaccination.
The National Cervical Cancer Coalition states that roughly 13,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year. Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which is a common virus that is passed from one person to another during sexual activity.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to reduce risk or prevent cervical cancer women should:
Completing the three dose HPV vaccination series can help prevent multiple cancers, including cervical cancer and cancer of the mouth and throat.
Two screening tests can help prevent cervical cancer or find it early:
Talk to your health care provider about when a Pap test is most appropriate for you. Tests for specific HPV strains can support earlier diagnosis of cervical cancer.
Women ages 50-64, who are uninsured and are at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level can receive Pap tests through DOH-Orange’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. To see if you qualify, call 407-858-1421.
Learn more about the Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program at http://orange.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/clinical-and-nutrition-services/breast-cervical-cancer-program/index.html
Learn more about the HPV Vaccine at http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/index.html.
About the Florida Department of Health
The department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @HealthyFla. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here