VNA Health Care offers screenings for Cervical Cancer Awareness Month
In recognition of Cervical Cancer Awareness Month in January, VNA Health Care wants women to know that cervical cancer is a highly preventable and treatable cancer, but only if women take the steps to get screened and vaccinated.
In 2018, an estimated 13,240 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cervical cancer, and 4,170 will die from the disease.
The current recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control regarding cervical cancer screening are having a Pap smear every 3 years for women age 21-65.
Women, age 30 to 65, who want to lengthen the screening interval may opt to have a Pap smear with human papillomavirus (HPV) testing every 5 years.
Vaccinations can protect people from getting the types of HPV that most often cause cancer and genital warts.
Vaccines that protect against the types of HPV that cause 90 percent of cervical cancers, as well as several other diseases and cancers, are recommended to be given to girls and boys ages 11 to 12 years of age.
About 80 percent of women will get HPV at some point in their life, but in the vast majority of women these virus will not cause any symptoms or problems. HPV infections that don't go away can cause changes in the cervix cells, and those changes can lead to cervical cancer.
This happens over 10 to 20 years. Many women younger than 30 will have HPV, but these infections are more likely to go away.
Pre-invasive cervical lesions often have no symptoms.
Once abnormal cells become cancerous and invade nearby tissue, the most common symptom is abnormal vaginal bleeding, which may start and stop between regular menstrual periods or cause menstrual bleeding to last longer or be heavier than usual.
Women who experience any of these symptoms should discuss them with their primary care provider.
While there are no medicines to treat HPV, there are treatments for the cell changes in the cervix that HPV can cause.
If your Pap test shows cervix cell changes, your doctor or nurse will talk to you about treatments, if you need them. The good news is that cervical cancer is rare in women who get regular screening tests.
To make an appointment for a women's wellness exam at VNA, which includes cervical cancer screening, call (630) 892-4355.
VNA accepts Blue Cross Community, Harmony, and Meridian Medicaid Managed Care Plans, Medicare, and some private insurance.
Uninsured patients can qualify for a discount based on household income.
VNA is the lead agency for the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer program in Kane, Kendall, Will and Kankakee counties. It provides screenings at no cost to uninsured women who qualify.
VNA Health Care operates 10 clinics in suburban Chicago and serves over 65,000 people a year.
VNA is nationally ranked as a top performing health center as a result of patient outcomes such as prenatal care, adolescent weight screening and counseling, vascular disease treatment, blood pressure control, healthy birthweights, and asthma care.
VNA's combination of convenience (by appointment or walk-in), patient-centered technology and expert care delivered with respect and compassion have led to these results. VNA is accredited by The Joint Commission.
Visit www.vnahealth.com or www.facebook.com/VNAHealth/.