By Dr. Natividad Rodriguez, CommonSpirit Holy Cross Hospital – Davis
The new year is a great time to re-invest in your health. One of the best ways to do so is to make sure you have a Pap test (Pap smear) to screen for cervical cancer.
At CommonSpirit, we know your health is a priority, and we want to make sure you have all the information to protect yourself. Did you know that across the U.S., Latina women have an incidence of cervical cancer almost double that of non-Hispanic white women? Although rates in Utah are generally lower than the national average, ethnic disparities still exist.
The good news is that cervical cancer is one of the most preventable if detected early. The key is regular screening tests, such as the Pap test. This test can find changes in cervical cells before they turn into cancer. Almost all cases of cervical cancer are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), and the HPV vaccine protects against the types that most frequently cause cervical cancer.
Even if you've already had the HPV vaccine, Pap tests are still important. Pap tests are recommended every three years beginning at age 21. After age 30, women should have a Pap test and HPV screening every five years. Don't put off your health! Take care of yourself, get screened, and encourage your friends and family to do the same. Together we can fight cervical cancer.
Find a CommonSpirit doctor near you and schedule your Pap test today: www.mountain.commonspirit.org/
Dr. Natividad Rodriguez Vargas, MD, practices family medicine at CommonSpirit Primary Care Davis in Layton, Utah.
