January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. All women are at risk for cervical cancer. It occurs most often in women over the age of 30. According to the CDC each year approximately 12,000 women in the United States get cervical cancer.

About 79 million Americans currently have HPV. Many people with HPV don’t know they are infected.

The good news?

• The HPV vaccine (shot) can prevent HPV.
• Cervical cancer can often be prevented with regular screening tests (called Pap tests) and follow-up care.

Cervical cancer screenings can help detect abnormal (changed) cells early, before they turn into cancer. Most deaths from cervical cancer could be prevented by regular Pap tests and follow-up care.

We can use this opportunity to spread the word about important steps women can take to stay healthy.

Here are just a few ideas:

• Encourage women to get their well-woman visit this year.
• Let women know that the health care reform law covers well-woman visits and cervical cancer screening. This means that, depending on their insurance, women can get these services at no cost to them.
• Talk to parents about how important it is for their pre-teens to get the HPV vaccine. Both boys and girls need the vaccine.