EDITORIAL: Good advice for good cervical health

Published 9:45 am Friday, January 3, 2025

Cervical Health Awareness Month is recognized nationwide in January.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, all women are at risk for cervical cancer, although it occurs most often in women older than 30.

The CDC also explains that almost all cervical cancers are caused by human papillomavirus, a common virus that can be passed from one person to another during sex.

Other factors can increase the risk of cervical cancer:

– Having HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) or another condition that makes it hard for the body to fight off health problems.

– Smoking.

– Using birth control pills for a long time (five or more years).

– Having given birth to three or more children.

– Having several sexual partners.

When caught early, cervical cancer is highly treatable, health officials say.

According to the CDC, the most important things you can do to help prevent cervical cancer is to get vaccinated against HPV, have regular screening tests and go back to the doctor if screening test results are not normal.

HPV vaccines are available through the county health department or private provider. Vaccination is recommended for preteens ages 11 to 12 years.

If vaccination is started before age 15, a two-dose schedule is recommended, with the doses given 6 to 12 months apart. For people who start the series after their 15th birthday, the vaccine is given in a series of three shots.

Vaccination is recommended for everyone through age 26, health officials said.

Good advice for good cervical health.

For information on cervical cancer, such as how it’s diagnosed and treated, visit the CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov.