Add Cervical Cancer Screening to This Year’s To-Do List 

January is National Cervical Health Awareness Month. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) encourages women to talk to your doctor about getting screened for cervical cancer. Routine screening is one of the major ways to help prevent cervical cancer. Screening tests can detect cancer early when it most treatable. They can also detect and treat precancerous conditions. Cervical cancer is one of the most treatable forms of cancer when found early.

VDH recommends other steps to prevent cervical cancer:

  1. Talk to your doctor about the Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination
  2. Use safe sex practices such as using condoms consistently/correctly and limiting the number of partners
  3. Stop smoking
  4. Eat healthy
  5. Exercise regularly

Through vaccination and screening, cervical cancer is almost completely preventable.  HPV vaccination can protect against the leading causes of cervical cancer as well as five other forms of cancer. Screening tests can detect HPV infection and see changes in cells that can lead to cervical cancer.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Family Physicians state the HPV vaccine series can be received at ages 11 to 12, or as early as age 9. Individuals up to age 26 can receive an HPV vaccine. However, it is much better to get the vaccine during childhood. Adults who are 27 and older can talk to their provider about the potential benefits of the vaccine. VDH encourages parents to discuss all routine vaccinations with their child’s healthcare provider. Visit the CDC for more information about HPV, the vaccine, and cervical cancer screening.

If cost is a factor, visit the VDH Every Woman’s Life program. The program provides free breast and cervical screening tests to low-income, uninsured Virginians. Parents can also visit the Virginia Vaccines for Children (VVFC) program to find a provider who can assist with covering the cost of the HPV vaccine for their preteen or teen.