By Bingham Memorial Hospital
Each year, approximately 12,000 women are diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. Yet, cervical cancer is the most preventable female cancer today. Given that it’s National Cervical Health Awareness Month, what better time to get the word out about women’s health and important screenings?
Get screened — For years, the standard for women was to get a routine cervical screening, also known as a Pap test, once per year to help catch cervical cancer in its early stages. But the National Cancer Institute and the American College of Gynecologists have changed those recommendations. During your 20s, a cervical screening should be done every three years. It is then recommended to get a screening every five years between the ages of 30 and 65.
Personal screening recommendations may vary based on a number of different factors, such as age and prior health history, so be sure to talk to your doctor about how often you should be screened. Even though you may not need a cervical screening as often, it’s still important to schedule your yearly women’s exam to prevent and detect other issues, says Dr. Heather Pugmire of the Bingham Memorial Women’s Center.
Quit smoking — Women who smoke are more at risk than nonsmokers for getting cervical cancer. If you smoke, it’s highly recommended that you quit. To help you, many resources are available online and Bingham Memorial Hospital offers a smoking cessation community education course. Call 208-785-3820 to learn more about this resource in your area.
HPV vaccine — Another way to help lower your risk for cervical cancer is to ask your doctor if the HPV vaccine may be right for you. HPV (human papillomavirus) is a virus that may increase your risk for developing cervical cancer. Many cases of HPV are no cause for concern, but if you have HPV, your risk for cervical cancer goes up. The HPV vaccine helps protect you from HPV, thus decreasing your risk of cancer.
Annual health visit — The best prevention against any health-related issue is to schedule your annual women’s health visit. The Bingham Memorial Women’s Center has Ob-Gyns to care for all of your women’s health needs, including regular screenings and annual appointments. Call to schedule an appointment with any of our physicians at 208-782-3900.