January means we’re kicking off a new year, setting new goals, and thinking about our health. One of the best ways to protect your health is early detection and prioritizing preventative care appointments and screenings.
That’s why Hancock Health is using Cervical Cancer Awareness Month to encourage women to keep up with their routine screenings and prioritize their gynecologic health alongside general health goals. These simple check-ins are more than routine appointments. They provide an important way to care for your body and your future.
What is Cervical Cancer?
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), each year in the United States, about 13,000 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed, and about 4,000 women die of this cancer.
Cervical cancer occurs when cells become abnormal and begin to grow out of control within cervical tissue, and in some cases, then spread to other parts of the body. The cervix is a part of the female reproductive system; it is the outermost portion of the uterus that separates the uterus from the vagina. It is a key component during menstruation, pregnancy, and childbirth and acts as an important gatekeeper throughout a woman’s ovulation cycle and pregnancy.
Most cases of cervical cancer are linked to human papillomavirus, or HPV. HPV is a common virus that is spread by skin-to-skin contact, typically during sex. Women with an active HPV infection may not exhibit any symptoms at all because the body is usually able to fight off the virus before it causes disease. However, in some cases, the damage done to the cells that have been infected with the virus causes cancer to form years later. .
What are Cervical Cancer Screening Methods & Guidelines?
Cervical cancer screenings help provide early detection of cell changes, allowing an opportunity for treatment to help prevent cancer from developing. For cervical cancer, there are two main ways to screen.
- An HPV Test checks for the presence of the virus by taking a sample of cervical cells.
- A Pap Test (sometimes called a Pap smear) is a routine screening to check for precancerous or cancerous cells by collecting a sample of cervical cells.
Oftentimes, these tests can be combined and conducted simultaneously. It can be completed during a routine check-up with your family doctor or gynecologist. You can learn more about the screening process here from the Colegio Americano de Obstetras y Ginecólogos.
It is recommended that women begin getting Pap tests at age 21. The recommendations for screening after age 21 are individualized based on the results of your previous tests, your age, and your personal medical history, so it’s important to visit with your gynecologist or primary care provider annually to make sure that your screening is up to date.
Prioritizing regular screenings has a life-saving impact. The CDC reported that from 1999 to 2023, death rates from cervical cancer have steadily decreased in the United States. That is attributed to women getting regular Pap tests, which increases opportunities for early detection, as well as the introduction of an HPV vaccine in 2006 as an additional preventative option available to adolescents.
Cervical Cancer Screening and Care at Hancock Health
Hancock Health providers are experts in all aspects of women’s health, serving East Central Indiana. Talk to your doctor about routine testing and screening available to detect cervical cancer. Learn more about our Women’s Health services.
We support you during every step of your health journey. If precancer or cancer is detected during a routine screening, the Centro Oncológico Sue Ann Wortman offers:
- Expert doctors and nurses
- Cutting-edge technology and medicine
- Personalized care plans as unique as you
- Supportive therapies like nutritional help and emotional support
We also work with Mayo Clinic to bring world-class care to our community. As a member of the Red de atención de Mayo Clinic, our providers can easily request a second opinion or additional guidance from the Mayo Clinic’s cancer experts at no extra cost and without needing to leave Hancock County.
We Fight Cancer Here
As we recognize Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, consider this your friendly reminder from Hancock Health: your reproductive health matters. It’s important to stay informed and educated on care options available to you. A quick screening can give you and your family peace of mind and help catch potential issues early.
If you haven’t scheduled your appointment yet, why not take a minute and do it today? Your health is worth that small next step. Schedule a visit with your primary care provider at Hancock Health.
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