Breast and Cervical Cancer
Breast Cancer Screening Program
A breast exam and mammograms check for signs of cancer in the breast. Women should have regular clinical breast exams performed by their health care provider. The American Cancer Society recommends women have a mammogram once a year starting at age 40. Some women should start receiving mammograms sooner based on health or family history.
Women are recommended to do a self breast exam monthly preferably the same time of each month. For more information on doing a self breast exam see these five easy steps http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/types/self_exam/bse_steps.
At the health centers in the Purchase District women who are 40 years of age and older who are uninsured or underinsured may be eligible to receive a mammogram at a low or reduced rate. For more information please click here to contact your local health center.
Cervical Cancer Screening
All women should get a pap test starting at age 21. Generally a pap test is recommended every 3 years for women 21 years of age until age 30. Women over 30 should receive a pap test every 3 to 5 years depending on their health history. Women over 65 should discuss frequency of pap test with their health care provider. Regardless of how often you should have a pap test done every woman over 21 should have a pelvis exam yearly.
A pap test or pap smear is a test done on the cervix to check for abnormal cells. Abnormal pap smears can be caused by a few different factors including the HPV or Human papillomavirus. Abnormal pap results cause by the HPV virus are true abnormal findings.
HPV is a very common virus passed from the skin of one person to another during sex. There are many types of HPV some causing genital warts and others that can lead to cervical cancer. These types don’t usually cause warts or bumps and this is why routine pap testing is important. Cervical cancer can be prevented if the abnormal cell changes that lead to cervical cancer are found and treated early. There are many treatment options for women with abnormal pap smear results. Treatment should be discussed with your health care provider.
Cervical cancer screening is provided at each of the Purchase District health centers. For more information or to make an appointment, please click here to contact your local health center.