Published on: 25 January, 2023
Read Time: 6 min
January is Cervical Health Awareness Month, an ideal time to consider scheduling a cervical cancer screening appointment. If you haven’t visited a gynecologist in years and are hesitant about getting a screening, know that you are not alone. This article will explain the importance of cervical health awareness and explore reasons why many women delay Pap tests or HPV vaccines. We will also discuss the benefits of maintaining cervical health and provide reliable resources to support your well-being.
The cervix is a narrow, tube-shaped organ, approximately one inch long, located at the bottom of the uterus and connecting it to the vagina.
Cervical health awareness involves understanding the importance of cervical health and knowing whether your cervix is free of cancerous or precancerous cells. This requires screening by a doctor or qualified healthcare professional.
Cervical cancer screening involves evaluating cervical health using a Pap test, an HPV test, or both.
A Pap smear, named after its inventor Dr. Georgios Papanicolaou, is a procedure that collects a small sample of cells from the cervix. This quick procedure allows a laboratory to examine the sample for cancerous and precancerous cells.
During a Pap smear, your gynecologist or healthcare provider will:
By understanding these procedures and the importance of regular cervical health screenings, you can take proactive steps to maintain your health and well-being.
An HPV test uses sample cells from a pap smear to look for certain high-risk types of HPV. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI).
Facts about an HPV test for your cervical health:
An HPV vaccine is a vaccine designed to protect you from the most common, high-risk HPVs that cause genital warts and cancer.
HPV vaccine facts:
Cervical cancer is treatable, especially when a doctor catches it early. According to the National Cancer Institute, the five-year survival rate for stage I cervical cancer is 92 percent. The five-year survival rate for stage IV cancer is 17 percent. Your treatment options depend on the cancer stage and may include one or more of the following:
Screening is vital to detect early stage cancer.
Cervical health affects more than your cervix. Although cervical cancer does not cause most gynecological concerns, consider five benefits of protecting yourself against it.
But you may still hesitate to get tested.
According to a January 2022 article published by the Journal of the American Medical Association, the rate of overdue cervical cancer screenings increased from 14.4% in 2005 to 23.0% in 2019. If you are hesitant about scheduling a cervical cancer screening, you deserve to get answers first.
We encourage you to increase your cervical health awareness by talking to a gynecologist and using the following resources:
“Come prepared to talk to me. Your care should be a dialogue. The more I understand about where you’re coming from, your background, your fears, and your concerns, the better I can help you. My goal as a physician is to ensure that every time I’m in a room with a patient, I give them the very best of myself.” – Dr. Jo’Ann Jackson, MD, Reiter, Hill & Johnson of Advantia and Liv by Advantia Health.
Empower yourself to protect your cervical well-being.
Cervical cancer screening includes a pap smear, HPV test, or both. Screening is the only way to detect cancerous or precancerous HPV cells. An HPV vaccine can protect you from high-risk HPVs that threaten cervical health. If you’re anxious about scheduling an appointment, take advantage of the resources in this article to help you understand why your cervical health matters and how to get the care you need.
At Advantia Health, we will listen to your questions, address your concerns, and help you feel comfortable and confident about your healthcare choices. We have offices in Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, Virginia, and Washington, DC, and we’re growing! You will get compassionate, professional care from our team.
Find an Advantia Health doctor near you and schedule a better experience today.