Cervical Cancer Screening and Prevention: A Call to Action
Health Plan of San Joaquin, or HPSJ, is raising the alarm that the National Institute of Health projects cervical cancer will have been diagnosed in an estimated 14,100 women living in the United States and an estimated 4,280 women will have died from cervical cancer in 2022. Hispanic women have the highest rates of developing cervical cancer, and Black women have the highest rates of dying from cervical cancer.
Setar Testo, MPH, HPSJ Health Education manager, said about cervical cancer, “Once a leading cause of cancer death for women in the United States, screening and prevention have improved health outcomes. Increasing screening and prevention are our best defenses against cervical cancer.”
Get the HPV Vaccine
Almost all cases of the disease are caused by human papillomavirus, or HPV, infection. Vaccines that protect against the virus could prevent many cases. Anyone between the ages of 12 to 26, regardless of their gender, should talk to their doctor about the HPV vaccine.
Schedule a Cervical Cancer Screening
Usually, cervical cancer develops slowly over time. This makes cervical cancer screenings, also known as PAP smear tests, a powerful preventive measure. Cervical cancer screening can both detect cancer at an early stage–when treatment outcomes tend to be better–and detect precancerous abnormalities that can then be treated to prevent them from developing into cancers.
2023 myRewards
HPSJ members are eligible for incentives for getting their pap test when needed. HPSJ members are urged to call their doctor or clinic today to discuss cervical cancer screening options. HPV vaccines are a safe and effective way to prevent cancer in your child’s future. Members who receive the full series of adolescent vaccines, for example, Tdap, meningococcal, HPV vaccine series, by their 13th birthday are eligible for an incentive as well.
Members are encouraged to visit hpsj.com/myrewards to learn more. For more on cervical cancer screening and health education resources, all community members are invited to visit hpsj.com/cervical-cancer.
Health Plan of San Joaquin serves over 400,000 members in San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties. Visit the website at hpsj.com.
