Cervical Health Awareness Month

January is Cervical Health Awareness Month, and Riggs CHC wants you to know that there’s a lot you can do to prevent cervical cancer. Each year, more than 11,000 women in the United States get cervical cancer.

HPV (human papillomavirus) is a very common infection that spreads through sexual activity, and it causes almost all cases of cervical cancer. About 79 million Americans currently have HPV, but many people with HPV don’t know they are infected.

The good news?

• The HPV vaccine (shot) can prevent HPV.
• Cervical cancer can often be prevented with regular screening tests and follow-up care.

Riggs Community Health encourages:

• Women to start getting regular cervical cancer screenings at age 21
• Parents to make sure pre-teens get the HPV vaccine at age 11 or 12
• Teens and young adults also need to get the HPV vaccine if they didn’t get it as pre-teens. Women up to age 26 and men up to age 21 can still get the vaccine.

Taking small steps can help keep you safe and healthy. To find out more information or to schedule an appointment for Cervical Cancer screening or for the HPV vaccine, call us at 765-483-4469.