Cervical cancer is not only treatable; it can be preventable*. One woman dies from cervical cancer every two hours. Let’s change this STAT.
*Up to 93% of cervical cancers could be prevented by screening and HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccination.
For more information, visit ChangeThisSTAT.com
Just a few years ago, I was just like every typical 20-something. I rarely ever thought of going to the doctor. The doctor was a person I saw if I wasn’t feeling well, I thought. So when I happened to go in for an annual exam “just because,” I got the surprise of my life.
I had really great health insurance and wanted to get all of my ducks in a row. I saw my primary care doctor for a yearly physical, and she offered to do a pap smear. Sure, I thought, it’ll save me a trip.
I was one step away from cervical cancer
That doctor saved my life. It turned out that I had a case of severe cervical dysplasia due to an HPV infection.
I had no symptoms of an infection, and it’s totally normal. Women with precancerous lesions generally do not have any symptoms whatsoever. Women usually don’t have symptoms until it’s advanced cervical cancer. I felt 100% healthy. The truth was that I was one step away from cervical cancer.
And to think I almost skipped out on the physical exam that year. My story would have been very different…if I was even around to tell my story.
How prevalent is cervical cancer?
Did you know that every two hours one woman dies of cervical cancer? What’s more, over half of new cervical cancer cases occur in women who have never or rarely been tested. We need to change this STAT.
- More than half of new cervical cancer cases occur in women who have never or rarely been tested.
- Every hour, 1 woman is diagnosed with cervical cancer.
- One-third of U.S. women diagnosed with cervical cancer die.
Let’s Talk about HPV
- HPV is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI).
- Certain types of HPV can lead to cell changes that, if left untreated, may progress to cancer.
- About 8 out of 10 U.S. women will contract HPV at some point in their lifetime.
- A recent study showed that up to 95% of cervical cancer may be detected with Pap+HPV (co-testing).
For more information, visit ChangeThisSTAT.com
STIs are on the rise, especially among young people. Some people avoid talking about STIs because they’re embarrassed, don’t understand how prevalent STIs are, or may not even know they have an STI because many STIs do not have symptoms.
An untreated STI can have serious consequences to your long-term health and cause irreversible damage to your reproductive organs. Some STIs result in pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can lead to infertility (inability to have children) and ectopic pregnancy (a dangerous pregnancy occurring outside the womb).
What can you do to prevent cervical cancer?
One thing you can do is commit to regular cervical cancer screening. Through regular cervical cancer screening, doctors can identify signs of abnormalities and treat them before they become a problem. There are different ways to get screened for cervical cancer—a Pap test, an HPV test, or a Pap+HPV test (also known as co-testing). Ask your OB-GYN, primary care physician or nurse about which options are right for you.
Did you know?
Cervical cancer screening and STI testing are covered by the Affordable Care Act. This means you may not be responsible for a copay, deductible, or out-of-pocket costs. If you don’t have health insurance, there are clinics across the United States that may provide testing at low or no cost.*
* Coverage may not be available to all women. Patients should consult their healthcare plan to verify coverage.
For more information, visit ChangeThisSTAT.com
Will this be painful or expensive?
Screening exams should not be painful. It may be a little uncomfortable, but you can always ask for the smallest speculum to reduce discomfort. The stirrups might be chilly, but the exam will only take a few minutes.
What if I feel fine?
Cervical cancer is preventable, but if you’re not getting tested regularly (like me, who almost skipped getting a physical exam + papa that year) you’re putting yourself at risk.
This is important even if you feel healthy and perfectly fine! Remember, I was only one step away from cervical cancer!
Together, we can reduce the number of women dying of cervical cancer. It starts with YOU going to the doctor and getting screened for cervical cancer.
Will you get screened this year? Will you remind a friend? Pin the image below to help spread the word. Together, we can put an end to cervical cancer.