SERENDIPITY 2017 Issue 2 | Page 40

Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

by Gemma De Stella

Cervical Cancer/ Health Awareness Month (January) is used to promote the awareness and protection of women from the HPV virus (Human Papillomavirus) and cervical cancer. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that connect to the vagina. Cervical cancer is not thought to be passed down through genetics of your family. 7 types of HPV are responsible of most of cervical cancer cases. What does this mean for you?

1.Around 79 million Americans have or will have HPV.

2.HPV is a disease that both men and women can have.

3.Around 11,000 Women in the united states get Cervical cancer each year.

4.HPV can cause Anal cancer in men.

5.HPV can cause Cervical, Vaginal, Vulvar and Anal cancer in females

6.HPV can cause Genital Warts in Both Males and Females.

How can you prevent HPV and cervical cancer? There are HPV Vaccines that you can ask your doctors about. Also you can get regular Pap Test and follow up care. Most Cervical cancer screenings (Pap Tests) can detect abnormal cells early. Now you might be asking how you can spread the word? Well the best way to spread any word is by word of mouth. Ask family members and loved ones if they have had their regular Pap test lately. Talk to your Teens about how important it is to have these regular checkups and vaccines.