January is Cervical Health Awareness Month and there are approximately 13,000 women in the United States who are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year, but this can be prevented with proper vaccination and appropriate screening (Pap and HPV tests). The congress of the United States named January as Cervical Health Awareness Month.
The American Sexual Health Association (ASHA) offers a range of resources to educate people and healthcare providers about cervical health that include fact sheets to episodes of the ASHA’S Sex+ Health Podcast.
There are a lot of ways to help and the main point is that there has to be a strong interest in educating and advocating for increased information on cervical cancer and HPV disease.
Another way to help is by contacting the local media and encourage them to do coverage on Cervical Health Awareness Month. Furthermore, posting information in many social media platforms is a helpful resource.
Vaccination:
The HPV vaccines can help prevent infections from both high risk HPV types that can cause cervical cancer and low risk types that cause genital warts. The CDC advices all boys and girls get the HPV vaccine at ages 11 or 12 because the vaccine produces a stronger response when its taken during the preteen years (www.ashasexualhealth.org). Also, it is stated that up until age 14, only two doses of the vaccines are required. The vaccine can be taken by both males and females through age 45, but for those 15 and older a three-dose series is needed.
Testing:
Nevertheless, a Pap test can find cell changes in the cervix caused by HPV. Meanwhile, HPV tests can find the virus and help the healthcare providers know which women are at high risk for cervical cancer. Both tests, alone or in combination are recommended for women over 30.
Lastly, to have the correct information about Cervical Cancer is a great way to help out society learn more about it.
To learn more on Cervical Cancer visit the following website: www.ashasexualhealth.org
*[Public Domain]
Comments