January is National Cervical Health Awareness Month

Did You Know? About 20 million Americans currently have HPV (human papillomavirus), the most common sexually transmitted disease. HPV is a major cause of cervical cancer.

The good news? HPV can be prevented by the HPV vaccine, and cervical cancer can often be prevented with regular screening tests (called Pap tests) and follow-up care.

Suffolk County health officials encourage:

• Women to start getting regular Pap tests at age 21;
• Women to get the HPV vaccine before age 27;
• Parents to make sure their pre-teens get the HPV vaccine at age 11 or 12;
• Men to get the HPV vaccine if you are under age 22.

You and your family members may be able to get these services at no cost to you. Check with your insurance company. Don’t have insurance? Call Cancer Services Program of Suffolk County at 631-548-6320, select option 3.

Información básica sobre el cáncer de cuello uterino: https://www.cdc.gov/spanish/cancer/cervical/basic_info/index.htm