From the Florida Department of Health in Orange County
The Florida Department of Health in Orange County (DOH-Orange) encourages women to visit their health care provider in January, Cervical Health Awareness Month, to be screened for cervical cancer, and learn more about preventing cervical cancer through lifestyle change and vaccination.
According to the National Cervical Cancer Coalition, more than 13,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year. In most cases, cervical cancer can be prevented through early detection and treatment of abnormal cell changes that occur in the cervix years before cervical cancer develops.
Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which is a common virus that is passed from one person to another during sexual activity.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to reduce risk or prevent cervical cancer women should:
Completing the three-dose HPV vaccination series can help prevent multiple cancers, including cervical cancer and cancer of the mouth and throat. DOH-Orange’s Immunization Section provides vaccinations for HPV through several programs.
Two screening tests can help prevent cervical cancer or find it early:
Talk to your health care provider about when a Pap test is most appropriate for you. Tests for specific HPV strains can support earlier diagnosis of cervical cancer.
If you are a woman between the ages of 50-64 years old, low income, and uninsured, contact DOH-Orange’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program at 407-858-1421 about the Pap test program. Learn more about the Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program at http://orange.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/clinical-and-nutrition-services/breast-cervical-cancer-program/index.html
Learn more about the HPV Vaccine at http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/index.html
To learn more about the department’s Immunization Section visit http://www.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/immunization/ or contact your county health department.
About the Florida Department of Health
The department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @HealthyFla. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.
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