January is Cervical Health Awareness Month, and
Jefferson County Public Health wants you to know that there’s a lot you can do
to prevent cervical cancer. HPV (human papillomavirus) is a very common
infection that spreads through sexual activity. It’s also a major cause of
cervical cancer. About 79 million Americans currently have HPV, but many people
with HPV don’t know they are infected.
The good news?
- The HPV vaccine (shot)
provides protection against 70% of cervical cancer.
- Cervical cancer can often be prevented with regular screening tests
(called Pap tests) and follow-up care.
As part of your Annual Wellness Visit, Jefferson County Public Health will provide
you with breast and cervical cancer education and/or screening if you are a
woman 20 years of age or older (including male to female transgender and female
to male transgender).
Cervical Cancer Prevention
ü It
starts with you! If you or your partner is under 27 (male or female), complete
the HPV (Human Papillomavirus)
vaccination series (3 separate injections
over 6 months). This vaccine provides immunization against specific HPV
types that can cause 70% of cervical cancer.
ü It
continues with you! Because HPV is a sexually transmitted virus, consider
abstinence or limit your number of partners and use condoms. Once HPV is
contracted, having a strong immune system will help you fight against the
infection. Adopt a healthy lifestyle of
eating nutritious foods, exercise regularly, limit your alcohol intake and
don’t smoke.
Cervical Cancer Screening
ü Once you turn 21, you are encouraged to have your
first Pelvic Exam and Pap Test. As long as the results are
normal, your health care provider will repeat these procedures every 3 years
until you turn 30.
o
A Pelvic Exam is
when the health care provider inspects your external genitalia, vagina and
cervix; and also feels your uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes.
o
A Pap Test is
when the health care provider collects some of your cervical cells so that it
can be tested for pre-cancerous cells.
ü Once you turn 30, in addition to a Pelvic Exam and Pap
Test, Jefferson County Public Health will also perform an HPV Test. As long as the results are normal, we will repeat these
three procedures every 5 years up to and including age 65. However, screening may be stopped earlier if you have had
your cervix removed for benign reasons; or it may continue for many more years
depending on the type of abnormal results in your history.
o
An HPV Test is
when the collected cervical cells from the Pap test are examined for the types
of human papillomavirus that can cause cervical cancer.
ü Depending on your age, risk factors and the results of
your cervical cancer screening, your health care provider may recommend more
frequent screening and additional procedures. At Jefferson County Public
Health, we will support you in scheduling appointments for any follow-up
procedures that may be required.
But I don’t need to…but I feel
fine…but I can’t afford…
ü Most invasive cervical cancer occurs in women never
screened or those who have not had a Pap Test within the past 5 years.
ü Early stages of cervical cancer usually have no
symptoms and can take years to develop and spread. Early detection is very
important.
ü Jefferson County Public Health will provide you with
accessible and cost effective care. We
serve individuals who are uninsured, underinsured, enrolled in Medicaid and
those with certain private insurance.
Care Coordination Program
If you are a woman between the ages of 40 and 64, you
may be eligible for a new program at Jefferson County Public Health
called the 
Women’s
Wellness Connection (WWC), Care Coordination Program. This program helps ensure access to breast and
cervical cancer screening among women who have or are eligible for health
insurance, including Medicaid, and who meet WWC’s income and lawful presence
eligibility criteria.
This program is offered as part of your Annual
Wellness Visit and includes:
·
Assessing your
need for breast and cervical cancer screening;
·
Assisting you
through completing the recommended cancer screening; and,
·
Supporting you
with the required follow-up if there are any abnormal results.
If you are already seeing another health care provider
for your Annual Wellness Visit and you are receiving breast and cervical cancer
screening with them, please consider this a reminder that your annual visit is
due in 2016.
Otherwise, please call us today to see if you qualify
and/or to schedule your Annual Wellness Visit with Jefferson County Public Health at 303-239-7078.
There is no
cost to you for this care coordination program, as this is a benefit provided
to you through a grant from the WWC. This program does not provide any
financial reimbursement for cancer screenings services as these are provided
through your health insurance coverage. If you no longer have current
health insurance, you may be eligible for services through another WWC grant
program. You can call the Family Healthline at: 303-692-2229 to find the name
of another agency that could provide this service.
