Health Plan of San Joaquin | Focus Your Health | Fall 2019

Focus Your Health 7 Why should I care about cervical cancer? Cervical cancer is the 4th leading cause of death in women around the world. Almost all cases of cervical cancer are caused by the human papil- lomavirus (HPV). Cervical cancer can be curable when found and treated early. What is HPV? HPV is a virus that can cause infection that leads to cervical, vaginal, throat, penile and vulvar cancer. About 91% of new cervical cancer cases per year are caused by a type of HPV. Can I prevent HPV? Getting the HPV shot can help prevent HPV. It is safe and protects you against types of infections that cause cervical cancer. Anyone between the ages of 12 to 26, regardless of their gen- der, should talk to their doctor about the HPV vaccine. Who should get a Pap smear? All women that are sexually active or age 21 and older should get a routine test. You should talk to your doctor to see when and how often you should get a Pap smear done. I have never been sexually active, do I need a Pap smear? Talk to your doctor to learn what is right for you. Is getting a Pap smear uncomfortable? Each woman is unique and has different comfort levels. It may be slightly uncomfortable, causing a slight temporary discomfort. If cervical cancer is caught at its earliest stages, the chance of survival is more than 85%.** hpsj.com/iChooseMe | 888.936.PLAN (7526) , TTY/TDD: 711 Pap smears have helped decrease the cervical cancer death rate by 50%.*** *National Cervical Cancer Coalition, **BCCancer, ***American Cancer Society I had a hysterectomy and no longer have a uterus. Do I need a Pap smear? If your uterus was partially or fully removed, a routine Pap smear may still be suggested to detect any new cancer or pre-cancer cells. Talk to your doctor. Studies show getting a Pap smear every 3 years can reduce your risk of cervical cancer by 70%.* 85% 70% 50% What is a Pap smear? A Pap smear is a test that checks for cancer of the cervix, the opening of the uterus (womb). A sample of cells from the cervix will be taken to screen for cells that are not normal. Cervical cancer Your questions answered