January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

You can lower your risk for cervical cancer by getting screened regularly, starting at age 21.
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Screening Tests
The HPV test and the Pap test are screening tests that can help prevent cervical cancer or find it early.

• The human papillomavirus (HPV) test looks for the virus that can cause cell changes on the cervix.
• The Pap test (or Pap smear) looks for precancers, which are cell changes on the cervix that might become cervical cancer if they are not treated appropriately.

 
Screening Options
You should start getting Pap tests at age 21. If your Pap test result is normal, your doctor may tell you that you can wait three years until your next Pap test.
If you’re 30 to 65 years old, you have three options. Talk to your doctor about which testing option is right for you.

• An HPV test only. If your result is normal, your doctor may tell you that you can wait five years until your next screening test.
• An HPV test along with the Pap test. If both of your results are normal, your doctor may tell you that you can wait five years until your next screening test.
• A Pap test only. If your result is normal, your doctor may tell you that you can wait three years until your next Pap test.

If you’re older than 65, your doctor may tell you that you don’t need to be screened anymore if you have had normal screening test results for several years and you have not had a cervical precancer in the past, or you have had your cervix removed as part of a total hysterectomy for non-cancerous conditions, like fibroids.

Call RCMS at 707.884.4005 to schedule an appointment.

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