January is Cervical Health Awareness Month! Cervical cancer has been greatly reduced due to screening and prevention but even then, nearly 14,100 women in the United States received a diagnosis of cervical cancer and nearly 4,300 died from the disease last year, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
What is Cervical Cancer?
Cervical cancer is a disease in which cancer cells arise in the cervix, which connects the uterus to the vagina. Most cases of this cancer are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.
Signs and Symptoms?
Contact your doctor if you are experiencing increased vaginal discharge and irregular bleeding as these could be signs of cervical cancer.
Prevention Against Cervical Cancer
Important things you can do to help prevent cervical cancer is getting vaccinated against HPV and regularly conducting screening (pap smear and HPV test).
To speak with a UCR Health physician, please visit https://www.ucrhealth.org/make-an-appointment/ or give us a call at 1-844-827-8000.