The Florida Department of Health recognizes January as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, observed to highlight the importance of prevention, early detection, and education focused on cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer, cancer of the cervix, is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide. Each year in Florida, over 1,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer. Fortunately, cervical cancer is highly curable when found and treated early, even before symptoms appear.

Screening and detection

 A Pap test and HPV (human papillomavirus) test may help prevent cervical cancer or detect it during early stages. The purpose of the Pap test is to detect abnormal cells in the cervix, and the HPV test looks for the human papillomavirus that can cause these cell changes. When abnormal cells are found and treated early, cervical cancer can be prevented or cured.

Women should talk to their health care provider to discuss when to begin cervical cancer screening and how often to be screened. The general screening recommendations follow:

• Women ages 21-29 years are to be screened with a Pap test alone every three
• Women ages 30-65 years should be screened every three years with a Pap test alone, every five years with HPV testing alone, or every five years with an HPV test along with a Pap test.

Florida Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program

Women ages 40-64 with low income or without health insurance may be eligible for free or low-cost screening through the Florida Department of Health’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. Cervical cancer is often curable when detected and treated at an early stage. To see if you qualify for these screenings, call Hendry Glades 863-674-4041, Okeechobee County 863-462-5800, Palm Beach County 561-840-4500,  or visit the Florida Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program webpage.