January Is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month 

Anyone with a cervix is at risk for cervical cancer. The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the main cause of cervical cancer. HPV is a common virus that is passed from one person to another during sex. Cervical cancer is one of the few vaccine-preventable cancers, with the aid of the  HPV vaccine.

The HPV test and the Pap test are used to detect cervical cancer. You can lower your risk for cervical cancer by getting screened regularly starting at age 21. Talk with your doctor about your screening options.

• The HPV test looks for the virus (human papillomavirus) that can cause cell changes on the cervix.
• The Pap test (or Pap smear) looks for precancers, cell changes on the cervix that might become cervical cancer if they are not treated appropriately.

When cervical cancer is found early, it is highly treatable and associated with long survival and good quality of life. According the American Cancer Society (ACS) 2023 Cancer Statistics Report, HPV vaccination has the potential to virtually eliminate cervical cancer. ACS, a CHC nonprofit partner, also reports large geographic differences in vaccination rates and outcomes. The 5-year relative survival rate for white women diagnosed with cervical cancer is 67%, but 56% in Black women.

For those worried about the costs of screening, CDC’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) provides breast and cervical cancer screenings and diagnostic services to women who have low incomes and are uninsured or underinsured.