January is Cervical Health Awareness Month. ❤️ We think it’s important to share information about how one can protect themselves from HPV (human papillomavirus) and cervical cancer. HPV is a very common infection that spreads through sexual activity, and it causes almost all cases of cervical cancer. ✔️ Get vaccinated against HPV. The most common form of the vaccine protects against two types of HPV that cause 70% of cervical cancers: types 16 and 18. The vaccine also protects against four other high-risk types (6, 11, 16, and 18). ✔️ Talk with your doctor or nurse about the HPV vaccine. The HPV vaccine is recommended for those aged 11-12. It is given in three doses over six months. The vaccine protects against most types of HPV that cause both cervical cancer and genital warts. It’s safe and effective when given at the recommended age. 👉 Early detection is key to preventing cervical cancer. We hope this post has given you a better understanding of what cervical health awareness month is, why it’s important, and how to take control of your own health. The more informed we are, the more we can do for ourselves. And remember: don’t be afraid to ask questions!

1. Cervical Health
Awareness
Month

2. January is Cervical Health Awareness Month.
We think it’s important to share information
about how one can protect themselves from
HPV (human papillomavirus) and cervical
cancer.
HPV is a very common infection that
spreads through sexual activity, and it
causes almost all cases of cervical cancer.

3. Get vaccinated against HPV.
The most common form of the vaccine protects
against two types of HPV that cause 70% of cervical
cancers: types 16 and 18. The vaccine also protects
against four other high-risk types (6, 11, 16, and 18).
Most people who have been sexually active will
get at least one type of HPV at some point in
their lives; it's estimated that about 75% have
been exposed by age 50.

4. Talk with your doctor or nurse about the HPV
vaccine.
The HPV vaccine is recommended for those aged 11-12. It is given in
three doses over six months. The vaccine protects against most types
of HPV that cause both cervical cancer and genital warts. It’s safe and
effective when given at the recommended age.
If you are 13-26 years old, the HPV vaccine may be recommended for
you if you have not already been vaccinated or if your vaccination
series was interrupted.

5. Early detection is key to preventing cervical
cancer.
The Pap test, also known as a Pap smear, is the best way to detect
cervical cancer early. This screening test can help you and your
doctor decide if further testing or treatment is necessary.
1.
Screening for cervical cancer prevents many cases of invasive
cervical cancer from developing each year. Screening also leads to
early treatment when needed and saves thousands of lives each
year in the United States alone!
2.
You can do a self-test at home or have an exam at your doctor's
office—either way, it's easy and painless!
3.

6. How often should I get a Pap test?
It has been recommended that cervix owners ages 21-65 have a Pap
test every three years as part of their routine gynecological checkups.
The guidelines vary slightly depending on whether or not you've ever
had abnormal results on previous tests and whether or not you've given
birth; this information is important because it can affect how soon after
giving birth (if at all) an individual needs another screening test.

7. Take control of your health and talk to your
doctor today about how often to get screened
for cervical cancer.
If you’re concerned about cervical cancer, don’t hesitate to talk to your
doctor. Ask questions and make sure they know what your concerns
are. The key here is early detection, so getting screened regularly is
important, especially if you are sexually active and/or at risk for HPV
(the virus that causes most cases of cervical cancer).

8. Conclusion:
We hope this post has given you a better understanding
of what cervical health awareness month is, why it’s
important, and how to take control of your own health.
The more informed we are, the more we can do for
ourselves. And remember: don’t be afraid to ask
questions!
If there is something that doesn’t seem right with your
body or a symptom that doesn’t go away even after
treatment, make sure you talk about it with your doctor
or nurse so they know what’s going on before it
becomes serious.

9. Dr. Martha Tara Lee
Relationship Counselor & Clinical Sexologist
Doctorate in Human Sexuality
Masters in Counselling
Masters in Public Policy and Management
Bachelor of Arts (Comm)
Cert in Sex Therapy
Cert in Practical Counselling
Cert in Life Coaching
Certified AASECT Sexuality educator and
AASECT Sexuality Educator Supervisor
In practice since 2009.