Protect yourself from cervical cancer

 

January is Cervical Cancer 

Awareness Month 

Cervical cancer happens when cancer cells grow on the cervix. The cervix is an organ that connects the uterus to the vagina. Cervical cancer slowly gets worse over time. It can lead to illness and even death if not treated properly. Thanks to tests that check for cervical cancer and knowledge of ways to prevent it, the number of people who get and become sick from cervical cancer is lower than it used to be. 

To protect yourself from cervical cancer, it is important that you are tested for the disease. If you have a cervix, a powerful testing tool is the Pap test, also called a Pap smear. The Pap smear is a medical exam you’d do at a doctor’s office. During the Pap smear, the doctor uses a swab to take cells from the surface of the cervix. The cells are examined by a doctor under a microscope. This exam can detect cancer in its very early stages. When cancer is found early, you can get quick treatment for a better recovery and a healthy outcome. Speak with your healthcare provider to schedule your Pap smear to get tested. 

A very helpful list to help you get the care you need can be found at CMS, Getting the Care you Need for People with Disabilities. 

It is important for people with disabilities to get tested and learn how to protect themselves from cervical cancer: 

• 9% of people with disabilities have had cancer, while just 5.3% of nondisabled people have had cancer. 
• Members of the disability community are 3 times more likely to be denied healthcare than nondisabled people. 

Protecting yourself, your family, and our community will take some self & family advocacy. Below are some ways to get started when making your healthcare appointment: 

• When calling to schedule your appointment, be specific about what you want, including any tests you want done. 
• Tell the scheduler that you are a person with a disability. Be sure to request the accommodations you will need during your appointment. 
• Ask about what to expect during the appointment. Knowing what to expect will help both you and your doctor prepare.  

In addition to screening, there are 3 different vaccines available that can prevent cervical cancer. The vaccines are named Gardasil, Gardasil 9, and Cervarix. These vaccines are recommended for all children, boys and girls, ages 11 and older. Protect your child from cervical cancer, and talk with your child’s doctor about this powerful tool to prevent it. 

You can take action! Protect yourself and your community from the risk of cervical cancer by getting tested and getting vaccines to prevent it! 

Reference: AACR, Cervical Cancer Awareness Month