Approximately 13,000 women are diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer each year. This is a condition that we can screen for with improved testing. The term ‘cervical cancer screening’ is used now instead of just saying a ‘Pap smear’ due to the options that are available to you.By combining the use of widespread HPV vaccinations and implementing the new cervical screening guidelines, we should drastically decrease the number of new cervical cancer diagnosis each year.These are the  new guidelines that went into effect last spring.

• • Less than 21 years of age: No screenings
  • Ages 21-29: Cytology only (Pap smear test) every 3 years
  • Ages 30-65: You have three options:
    • Cytology only (Pap smear test) every 3 years
    • High-risk HPV test only every 5 years
    • Cytology plus High risk HPV test (co-testing) every 5 years

If you have time on your hands this week, look for your last test results. Do you understand what the words mean? If you do not have a copy of it, you may be able to find it through your patient portal.

When was your last screening performed? Did you skip your check-up last year? Many women forget to schedule their annual exam once they are done having children and before you know it, 10 years have passed without care. Do you fall into this group?

If you skipped your check-up last year due to losing your insurance or just plain dealing with life, there are many locations where you can receive free or low-cost screenings.  This link will allow you to search for sites based on your state or you can search for free or low-cost clinics in your area.

Don’t let the pandemic impact your ability to take of yourself and schedule your appointment if you are overdue.