Cervical cancer doesn't always cause symptoms
Pap smears save lives by detecting and preventing cervical cancer, a disease that doesn't always cause symptoms.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC):
- Testing is recommended annually starting at the age of 21.
- Cervical cancer was once the leading cause of cancer death for women in the United States. However, during the past 40 years, incidence and deaths have declined significantly, primarily due to the Pap smear.
- Despite efforts to promote Pap testing in the last 10 years, high rates of cervical cancer persist among women in the South, and among African American and Hispanic women.
About half the women in this country who have cervical cancer never had a Pap smear. Ask your doctor about your risk factors and how often you should be tested.
If you are interested in getting additional information on Pap smears and cervical cancer, visit myRegence.com.
Have you registered at myRegence.com? Get full access to all the features and more by registering as a New Member today.
Not a Regence member? Register for a Guest Pass to get started.