How Early Cervical Screening Can Save Lives

This article does not constitute medical advice and is for informational purposes only.

Even though it is largely preventable, cervical cancer remains a serious health risk to women and people with a female reproductive system. In fact, 14,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with the disease every year, according to the American Sexual Health Association.

Because January is Cervical Health Awareness Month, here are some steps to maintain cervical health and reduce the risk of certain reproductive cancers.

How To Reduce Your Risk Of Cervical Cancer

Taking care of your body and keeping up with regular appointments and tests is an important part of preventing illness. Here are four crucial ways to reduce your risk of cervical cancer.

1. Get The HPV Vaccine

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine protects against different types of HPV, a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can lead to cervical, vaginal and vulvar cancer. While men might show no symptoms of HPV, they can still carry it and pass it on to female partners, who may then develop cancer if left untreated.

The best way to prevent HPV — and the cancers they cause — is through the HPV vaccine, which is recommended for boys and girls between the ages of 11 and 12. Typically, the vaccine is given on a two-dose schedule, six to 12 months apart, to those under the age of 15. For patients over 15, it is given on a three-dose schedule.

2. Get Screened Regularly

Another preventative measure those at risk should take to protect themselves from cervical cancer is getting regular screening tests. The two specific screening tests for cervical cancer include:

• Pap test (or Pap smear): The American College for Obstetrics and Gynecology recommends a Pap test every three years for women ages 21 to 65. This test can detect cervical cancer by collecting cells from the cervix. It can also detect changes in cervical cells, which can indicate the possibility of cancer developing in the future.
• HPV test: While often given in combination with a Pap smear, the HPV test cannot be used to diagnose cancer; rather, it detects the presence of HPV in your system, which can indicate cancer risk, according to the Mayo Clinic.

3. Follow Up On Abnormal Pap Smears

An abnormal Pap smear isn’t always a cause for concern, but it should not be ignored, the Mayo Clinic says. If your doctor recommends following up after an inconclusive test, don’t put it off. The sooner you address abnormal cells or other concerning results, the more likely you are to prevent serious illnesses such as cancer.

4. Practice Safe Sex

Always making sure to practice safe sex, especially if you have multiple partners, can help reduce your risk of HPV — which we know causes cervical cancer — and other STIs. If you want to test for HPV or other STIs, or are looking for affordable medication options, consider using GoodRx for optimal savings.

Critical Health Screenings Every Woman Should Have

Cervical cancer is just one of many health risks facing women and people with a female reproductive system, including hormonal imbalances, menstrual irregularities and ovarian cancer. Certain conditions can also impact biological females differently and with greater severity, such as breast cancer, osteoporosis, urinary tract infections, certain STIs and thyroid disease.

To that end, it’s important not to neglect these other critical women’s health screenings if you have a female reproductive system, as they can impact your cervical health and overall well-being:

Sexually Transmitted Infections

As noted, STIs can impact women differently than men. According to the CDC, women are less likely to experience symptoms of STIs such as chlamydia and gonorrhea, so they may not even know they have an infection without a specific screening. Left untreated, STIs may contribute to certain reproductive cancers and fertility problems.

Blood Pressure

High blood pressure can increase your risk of heart disease, so it’s important to get it checked regularly. For women ages 13 to 21 and those over 40, it is recommended to get blood pressure checked every year, and women ages 22 to 39 should have it checked every three to five years.

Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence is a common issue for many people with a typically female reproductive system — especially those who have given birth. However, menopause is a risk factor for incontinence as well, regardless of whether you’ve been pregnant before. Screening for this condition typically involves filling out a questionnaire every year to detect concerning symptoms.

Breast Cancer

Many doctors recommend regular breast screenings for early detection of cancer, so it can be addressed when treatment is most effective. Tests such as mammograms (which are X-rays of the breast), ultrasounds and MRIs can be used for screening.

Colon Cancer

Colon cancer screenings typically check for precancerous polyps to prevent them from turning into cancer. Early screenings, which can involve a stool test, a colonoscopy or a CT scan, are recommended starting around the age of 45.

Osteoporosis

According to the CDC, about 1 in 5 women over the age of 50 have osteoporosis, a condition that causes bones to become weak and brittle, and many don’t realize they have it until they break a bone. Health professionals recommend that women over 65, or those who are post-menopausal and at risk for fractures, be screened for osteoporosis with a low-dose X-ray.

Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death, the CDC says. Women between the ages of 55 and 80 who currently smoke, have smoked within the last 15 years or have smoked 20 pack-years (an average of one pack of cigarettes per day for one year) or more, should be screened for lung cancer using a CT scan.

Additional Pregnancy Screenings

If you are pregnant, there are several other health screenings you should have before your due date, including:

• Bacteriuria, which tests for a urinary tract infection.
• Rhesus (Rh) blood typing, which determines whether your cells carry the Rh factor protein. You will need special care during your pregnancy if you do not carry the Rh factor but your baby does.
• Preeclampsia, a serious blood pressure disorder that some develop during or after pregnancy.
• Group B streptococcus (GBS), a common bacteria that lives on the body and can cause health problems for your baby if transferred to them during delivery.

If your doctor has prescribed you medication for these or any other women’s health condition(s), GoodRx can help you compare prescription prices and provide affordable options for obtaining the medication you need. Simply enter the name of your prescription to compare prices and search for any free available coupons on that medication. Then, show your coupon to the pharmacy to save up to 80 percent on the regular retail price.

Download the GoodRx app or use the drug search tool on GoodRx.com to find the lowest price for your prescriptions.