Cervical cancer prevention: save lives with screenings!

Cervical cancer is one of the most successfully treatable types of cancers if detected early through regular Pap tests.1 That is why regular cervical cancer screenings are recommended for women 21 to 65 years old.2

Our cervical cancer resources below can teach you about early detection and prevention.

    • Cervical cancer occurs when there are abnormal cell changes in the cervix that slowly develop over time. Early signs of cervical cancer, known as cervical dysplasia, can be easily found through screenings and treated. Left untreated, however, the abnormal cells can grow into cervical tumors.3

      Cervical cancer used to be the leading cause of cancer death for women in the U.S. However, with increased Pap tests, the number of cases and deaths has drastically decreased.4
    • There are a few factors that may put a woman at greater risk for cervical cancer.5
      • HPV infection
      • Sexual history
      • Smoking
      • Unhealthy diet
      • Family history
      • Weakened immune system
      • Long-term birth control use

      Talk with your provider about your risk for cervical cancer and which screening guidelines are right for you, especially if you have never been screened for cervical cancer. Read more about cervical cancer risk factors and symptoms in our latest post.
    • One of the most important things you can do to prevent cervical cancer is to receive regular screenings starting at age 21. Depending on your age and medical history, your provider may recommend a Pap test and an HPV test to screen for cervical cancer every three to five years.2 A Pap test takes a sample of tissue from your cervix that is examined under a microscope for abnormal cells that could indicate cancer or could eventually become cancer. An HPV test looks for the type of HPV virus that may cause cervical cancer. If abnormal cells are found in either of these tests, it can typically be treated, preventing it from turning into cervical cancer or another serious disease.6

      You can get a cervical cancer screening at an obstetrician-gynecologist office. Some primary care providers’ offices also offer cervical cancer screenings. To find a network provider that works for you, visit compassrosebenefits.com/UHC.

 
 

wellness-icon-1

Complete your cervical cancer screening and receive 100 reward points.

Your annual well-woman visit is FREE when seeing a network provider. Be sure to say you are coming in for a “well-woman visit” when you schedule your appointment.

Cervical Cancer By The Numbers

 
  • Cervical cancer is most frequently diagnosed in women between the ages of 35 and 44.7

  • An estimated 13,800 new cases of cervical cancer will be diagnosed this year.7
     

  • The cervical cancer death rate has dropped by 50% since the mid-1970s due to increased screening.8

Additional Resources

  • Risks

    Cervical Cancer Risk Factors and Symptoms

    Some women may be at higher risk for developing cervical cancer than others. Protect yourself by learning the risk factors and symptoms to watch.

  • 5 Tips to Prevent Cervical Cancer

    Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancers in women. Learn what you can do to prevent it with these five tips.

 

1 https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/11901-hpv-human-papilloma-virus
2 https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation-topics/uspstf-and-b-recommendations
3 https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cervical-cancer/about/what-is-cervical-cancer.html
4 https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/statistics/
5 https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cervical-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html
6 https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cervical-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/prevention.html
7 https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cervical-cancer/about/key-statistics.html
8 https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/cervical-cancer/statistics