Cervical Health Awareness Month: Health Officials Urge Regular Tests

HARFORD COUNTY, Md. (WJZ)—Cervical Health Awareness Month is observed each January and health officials are reminding woman to get regular health screenings with their care provider.

Cervical cancer is the most preventable cancer that affects women, yet in 2015 , approximately 230 will be diagnosed with the disease, Harford County health officials say.

"Cervical Health Awareness Month is a chance to raise awareness about how women can protect themselves from human papillomavirus virus (HPV) and cervical cancer. Not only is HPV the most common sexually transmitted infection," says Harford County Health Department Cigarette Restitution Fund Cancer Program Coordinator, Susan Twigg, R.N., "but it's also a major cause of cervical cancer. An estimated 20 million Americans are currently infected, and an estimated 6.2 million new HPV infections occur annually in the U.S. However, HPV can be prevented with a vaccine that is covered by most health insurances."

According to health officials, cervical cancer is usually slow-growing and almost always caused by HPV, an infection that may not cause symptoms. Officials add that an estimated 73 women will die from the disease this year.

For those having difficulty affording medical care, the Harford County Breast and Cervical Cancer Programs offers no-cost mammograms and Pap test screenings for eligible women who qualify.

For more information visit: www.harfordcountyhealth.com.