Connect
With the start of a new year, it is important to always stay aware of your body's wellbeing. January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, and with that, we want to highlight the importance of receiving screenings, staying educated on cancer risks, and how to identify it in your community.
Cervical cancer happens when healthy cells changes their DNA to invade and destroy healthy body tissue. This creates a growth of cells that start in the cervix which is a strain of the human papillomavirus (HPV) but can be treated with surgery or chemotherapy to remove/kill the cancer cells.
Risk factors include but not limited to: smoking tobacco, early sexual activity, weakened immune system, and more. The American Association for Cancer Research states that approximately 13,820 individuals will be diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2024.
We recommend receiving routine pap tests, practice safe sex, and receive the HPV vaccine to reduce the risk of cervical cancer. In African-Americans, the U.S Department of Health and Human Services: Office of Minority Health states that Black/African Americans males and females with the highest mortality rate of all cancers compared to other ethnic groups. Cervical cancer was one of the top cancer site among Black/American females from 2017-2021 (8.7 per 100,000 population).
Cervical Cancer Awareness Month
Cervical Cancer is preventable by taking the HPV vaccine, early detection through screening tests, and getting routine Pap tests every three (3) years. With Black and Hispanic women being the most vulnerable to cervical cancer, it is important to take the necessary steps to prevent cervical cancer. By learning about the prevention and disparities in the community, we can educate and detect cancer earlier than provide the treatment needed.
Like
Helpful
Hug
Connect