Richmond and Henrico encourage testing for Cervical Health Awareness Month
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- January is Cervical Health Awareness Month and the Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) is encouraging community members to take action against cervical cancer. According to data from the CDC human papillomavirus (HPV) causes six different kinds of cancers including 91% of cervical cancers, and 70% of head and neck cancers. The health districts outlined two major ways to stay ahead of HPV detection: It is suggested that women ages 21 and up should talk to their doctors and discuss a cervical cancer screening Parents and guardians should make sure their children have the required HPV vaccination prior to the start of 7th grade. Appointments can be made with their primary care provider, local pharmacy, or at an in school clinic “Even with the HPV vaccine, people still need to follow testing guidelines based their age and pap history," said RHHD Nurse Practitioner Christy Smith. "Together, the HPV vaccine and regular screening are powerful tools that protect against cervical and other cancers.” According to the National Cancer Institute's State Cancer Profile, the rate of new cervical cancer cases dropped steadily between 2017 and 2021. New cases in Richmond and Henrico were lower than Virginia overall during the same four year period. In November of last year, The Journal of the American Medical Association published a research letter from 2022-2023 that found a 12% per year decline in cervical cancer incidence from 2012 to 2019 amongst U.S. women younger than 25, who likely benefited from the HPV vaccination. In the U.S. the HPV vaccine has been recommended for routine use since June 2006. A release from the health districts outlined the following information abut HPV vaccination: The vaccine is required for all children regardless of sex before entering the 7th grade Children who receive both doses the vaccine before 13 will receive the most protection Children who receive their first does of the vaccine at 15 or older will require three total doses for full protection The HPV vaccine is also recommended for people 26 years of age who did not start or complete the vaccination at an earlier age HPV vaccine recommendation for persons 27-45 years of age is based on shared clinical decision making The Virginia Department of Health offers Every Women's Life , a program that helps low-income and uninsured women receive access to free breast and cervical cancer screening services. According to the health districts, screening and early detection reduce death rates improve treatment options, and greatly increase rates of survival.
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RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- January is Cervical Health Awareness Month and the Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) is encouraging community members to take action against cervical cancer.
According to data from the CDC human papillomavirus (HPV) causes six different kinds of cancers including 91% of cervical cancers, and 70% of head and neck cancers.
The health districts outlined two major ways to stay ahead of HPV detection:
- It is suggested that women ages 21 and up should talk to their doctors and discuss a cervical cancer screening
- Parents and guardians should make sure their children have the required HPV vaccination prior to the start of 7th grade. Appointments can be made with their primary care provider, local pharmacy, or at an in school clinic
“Even with the HPV vaccine, people still need to follow testing guidelines based their age and pap history," said RHHD Nurse Practitioner Christy Smith. "Together, the HPV vaccine and regular screening are powerful tools that protect against cervical and other cancers.”
According to the National Cancer Institute's State Cancer Profile, the rate of new cervical cancer cases dropped steadily between 2017 and 2021. New cases in Richmond and Henrico were lower than Virginia overall during the same four year period.
In November of last year, The Journal of the American Medical Association published a research letter from 2022-2023 that found a 12% per year decline in cervical cancer incidence from 2012 to 2019 amongst U.S. women younger than 25, who likely benefited from the HPV vaccination.
In the U.S. the HPV vaccine has been recommended for routine use since June 2006.
A release from the health districts outlined the following information abut HPV vaccination:
- The vaccine is required for all children regardless of sex before entering the 7th grade
- Children who receive both doses the vaccine before 13 will receive the most protection
- Children who receive their first does of the vaccine at 15 or older will require three total doses for full protection
- The HPV vaccine is also recommended for people 26 years of age who did not start or complete the vaccination at an earlier age
- HPV vaccine recommendation for persons 27-45 years of age is based on shared clinical decision making
The Virginia Department of Health offers Every Women's Life , a program that helps low-income and uninsured women receive access to free breast and cervical cancer screening services.
According to the health districts, screening and early detection reduce death rates improve treatment options, and greatly increase rates of survival.
