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By Harriet Dial
January is National Cervical Health Awareness Month. The WV Breast and
Cervical Cancer Screening Program (BCCSP) joins organizations throughout West
Virginia encouraging women to get a Pap test.
Cervical cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer worldwide, and one
of the most preventable and treatable. Approximately 45 West Virginia women
die of cervical cancer each year, ranking West Virginia third in the nation for
deaths due to cervical cancer. This number could greatly be reduced if West
Virginia women would get regular Pap test.
There are two ways to prevent this disease. One is by avoiding the high risk
behaviors: Women who have many sexual partners have a greater change of
getting HPV which can lead to cervical cancer; and women who smoke are about
twice as likely as non-smokers to get cervical cancer.
The second way to prevent cancer of the cervix is to have regular Pap tests. The
test can detect HPV infection and pre-cancers. Treatment of these problems can
stop cervical cancer before it fully develops. All women should have yearly Pap
tests starting at age 18 or the age when they start having sex. Women who are
past menopause still need to have regular Pap tests. However, a woman should
talk with their doctor or nurse to determine how often she should get a Pap
test.
For those who meet age and income guidelines, the BCCSP provides free Pap and
Breast Exams. Call your local Cancer Information person in your region, Harriet
Dial, at the new Parkersburg Regional Office, 304-422-1515 or 304-481-9922 to
see if you meet the qualifications for these free exams and for a referral to a
clinic near you. Or you may call of the many clinics who provide this service.
The following clinics are some of the providers of this program:
Minnie Hamilton Health Care, 394-9244
Ritchie County Primary Care, 643-4005
Harrisville Medical Center, 643-2957
Pennsboro Medical Center, 659-2986
Roane General Medical Clinic, 927-6822
Roane Family Medical Clinic, 927-1495
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