January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month: Take Action for Your Health
January marks Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, established by the U.S. Congress in 2009 to emphasize the importance of cervical health education, preventative screenings, and vaccinations. We are offering free Pap/HPV testing in January to help you make this important step. Pace Health Connection encourages individuals to prioritize their well-being by learning about cervical health and taking proactive steps to improve overall health outcomes. Cervical cancer may be prevented by early detection and vaccination. Regular screenings can identify cervical changes before they develop into cancer or detect the disease in its early stages. Additionally, the HPV vaccine, approved by the FDA in 2006, provides a safe and effective way to bolster the immune system against the human papillomavirus, a leading cause of cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine gives the body a safe way to build immune system awareness.
Each year there are approximately 11,500 new cases of cervical cancer diagnosed, resulting in nearly 4,000 deaths. To help reduce these numbers, individuals should follow age-specific cervical cancer screening recommendations:
Under age 21: A pap test is not required.
Age 21-29: A pap test is recommended to be completed every 3 years.
Age 30-65: A pap test and HPV test (co-testing) are recommended every 5 years, or a pap test alone every 3 years and an HPV test every 5 years.
65 years and older: Routine screening is not required if you have had normal results in the past 10 years or if your doctor gives you different recommendations.
Added screening may be necessary depending on the outcome of the pap and HPV test results.
Make your health a priority in 2025 by scheduling a well-woman visit with Health Connection. There may be no co-pay, deductible, or out-of-pocket cost. To schedule an appointment or speak to a healthcare provider, call the Health Connection clinic nearest you, Bedford (812) 675- 0247, Sullivan (812) 638-2998, Terre Haute (812) 234-0707, Vincennes (812) 882-6069, and/or Washington (812) 254-6936. Please visit our website at https://www.pacecaa.org/health-connection for more information about our services. Don’t wait—call today to schedule your Pap/HPV testing and take an important step toward protecting your health.
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Pace Community Action Agency, Inc. is a private not-for-profit Community Action Agency established to provide support services to improve the community and encourage self-reliance. Services are provided without regard to race, age, color, religion, sex, disability, national origin, ancestry, familial status, or status as a veteran.
This was supported by the by Indiana Family Health Council, Inc. (IFHC), as part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), U.S. DHHS, PHS Title X Family Planning Project, and ISDH/MCH Family Planning grants as part of a financial assistance award totaling approximately $950,000 with 90% funded by IFHC and approximately $110,000 amount and 10% funded by nongovernment source(s). The contents are those of the author (s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by IFHC/OASH/HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit Health Connection’s website.
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