JANUARY is CERVICAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

Each year, 13,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with cervical cancer. More than 4,200 women die from the disease, caused primarily by the human papillomavirus, or HPV (also linked to several other cancers in men and women).

The human papillomavirus, HPV, is passed from one person to another during sexual contact (not just sexual intercourse). Half of all sexually active people have HPV at some point, often with no symptoms. 

HPV infections usually clear on their own; however, if and when they don’t. . . they can cause CERVICAL CANCER.

Most women should begin screening for cervical cancer between the ages of 21-65 (younger if you are sexually active).

The good news? Cervical cancer is highly preventable, thanks to screening tests and the HPV vaccine. When it’s caught early, survival rates are high.