GET SCREENED FOR CERVICAL CANCER

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

NEW CITY, NY - - Rockland County Executive Ed Day and County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert encourage women to start the year off right and contact your health care provider to make sure you are up-to-date with your cervical cancer screening to check your cervix (the lower part of the uterus or womb) for cancer before you have symptoms.

"There usually aren't any symptoms of cervical cancer in its earliest stage when it is easiest to treat. That is why it is so important for women to get regular Pap tests, and then follow-up as needed. A Pap test can find changes in the cervix that can be treated before they become cancer. The Pap test is also very helpful in finding cervical cancer early, when it is more likely to be cured," said Dr. Ruppert.

The American Cancer Society recommends that all women should begin cervical cancer screening at age 21. It is important to talk to your health care provider to find out how often you should be screened, depending on your age and risk factors, and about how you can prevent cervical cancer.

The most important risk factor for cervical cancer is infection with the human papilloma virus (HPV), spread mainly through sex. There are many different types of HPV. In most cases, HPV goes away on its own and does not cause any health problems. But when HPV does not go away, some types can cause health problems, including genital warts, cervical cancer, and other cancers.

Two Health Department clinics offer the vaccine Gardasil®, which can prevent (not treat) certain types of HPV infection and can ultimately prevent certain types of cancer, not just HPV infection. The vaccine works by preventing some of the most common types of HPV, and the health problems that the virus can cause. Gardasil® was approved for use in males and females aged 9 through 26 years, and recently the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) expanded the approval to include women and men aged 27 through 45 years.

• The Sexual Health Clinic offers the vaccine free-of-charge, while supplies last, to males and females between the ages of 18 to 26. Call 845-364-3771 for more information.
• The Family Planning Services Clinic offers the vaccine free-of-charge for women, from teens to those age 26. They also provide Pap tests, pelvic exams and referral services from age 21 - pre-menopause. Call 845-364-2531 for more information.

Women who are uninsured, or underinsured, and meet certain eligibility requirements can get free Pap tests, pelvic exams and follow-up services through the Cancer Services Program of the Hudson Valley. Call toll free at 855-277-4482 for more information or to make an appointment. For more information about cervical cancer call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org. For more information about HPV and the vaccine, visit www.cdc.gov/hpv. For more information about Health Department clinics, visit www.rocklandgov.com/departments/health/clinics-and-immunizations/.