Pace Observes Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

Cervical Health Awareness Month is recognized in January and Pace wants you to be empowered to take control of your health, educated on cervical health, and have improved well- being.  Cervical cancer is preventable with screening and vaccination. Approximately 80 years ago cervical cancer was the leading cause of cancer death among women in the United States. Each year, more than 14,000 new cases of cervical cancer are detected and approximately 4,000 deaths occurred in 2021.

 Rebecca Skiver, PA-C, Health Connection Supervisor stated, “99% of cervical cancers are caused by human papillomaviruses (HPV).  The HPV vaccine (Gardasil) is approved for the prevention of cervical cancer in males and females between ages 9 and 45, and Gardasil is currently offered at all Health Connection Clinics.”

 There are several recommendations for cervical cancer screening based upon your age range.

·         21-29 years old: A pap test every 3 years is recommended.

·         30-65 years old: A pap test and high-risk HPV testing (co-testing) every 5 years is recommended.

·         65 years and older: Routine screening is not recommended after adequate prior negative screening results.

·         Additional screening may be necessary depending on the pap test and HPV results. Your provider will determine your specific screening recommendations.

 Plan for a well-woman visit in 2023 by contacting Health Connection. There may be no co-pay, deductible, or out-of-pocket cost. To schedule an appointment or to talk to a healthcare provider, call the Health Connection clinic closest to 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 agency. Call today to schedule an exam for pap/HPV testing!

For more information on the event contact Dr. Michelle Pitcher APRN, FNP-BC, NP-C at mpitcher@pacecaa.org

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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.

We Educate, Empower and Improve through organized steps at a personalized pace!

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