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During National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15), we highlight opportunities to address issues that impact the health of Hispanic women in our communities. CERVICAL CANCER  Source: Cervical Cancer Rates by Race and Ethnicity All women are at risk for cervical cancer. It occurs most often in women over age 30. Each year, about 12,000 women in the United States get cervical cancer, and about 4,000 women die from it. In 2012, Hispanic women had the highest rate of getting cervical cancer, and were the second mostly likely to die of cervical cancer.
ON
PREVENTION: -
Cervical cancer is highly preventable in most Western countries because screening tests and a vaccine to prevent human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are available.
- The
human papillomavirus (HPV) is the main cause of cervical cancer. HPV is a
common virus that is passed from one person to another during sex. At least
half of sexually active people will have HPV at some point in their lives, but
few women will get cervical cancer.
- Get regular cervical cancer screening tests starting at age 21.
- When cervical cancer is found early, it is highly treatable and associated with long survival and good quality of life.
- Help lower your risk for cervical cancer— Don’t smoke. Use condoms during sex. Limit your number of sexual partners.
FOR PROFESSIONALS:
 Source: CDC Vital Signs: Cervical Cancer is Preventable Are there tests that can prevent cervical cancer or find it early? There are two tests that can either help prevent cervical cancer or find it early: - The Pap test looks for precancers, cell changes, on the cervix that can be treated, so that cervical cancer is prevented.
- The HPV test looks for HPV— the virus that can cause precancerous cell changes and cervical cancer.
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