{"id":58695,"date":"2026-01-06T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-06T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hancockhealth.org\/?p=58695"},"modified":"2026-01-05T11:50:46","modified_gmt":"2026-01-05T16:50:46","slug":"prioritize-preventative-health-with-cervical-cancer-screening","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hancockhealth.org\/zh\/2026\/01\/prioritize-preventative-health-with-cervical-cancer-screening\/","title":{"rendered":"Prioritize Preventative Health with Cervical Cancer Screening"},"content":{"rendered":"
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January means we\u2019re 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. <\/p>\n<\/div>

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That\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n<\/div>

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What is Cervical Cancer? <\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>
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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. <\/p>\n<\/div>

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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<\/a> 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\u2019s ovulation cycle and pregnancy.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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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. . <\/p>\n<\/div>

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What are Cervical Cancer Screening Methods & Guidelines? <\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>
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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. <\/p>\n<\/div>

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