January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness month, and the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department is reminding women about the important role of regular screening in detecting cervical cancer.
According to the department, cervical cancer can be caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection. The HPV virus is also responsible for genital warts.
To combat the problem, women are encouraged to have a Pap test by age 21 (or within a year of becoming sexually active). According to the National Cervical Cancer Coalition website, such a test “is the single most effective cancer screen in the history of medicine.”
According to the county press release, the state Family PACT program pays for pelvic exams for women with no health insurance and lower incomes.
The state Cancer Detection Programs (CDP) pays for free Pap tests with clinical exams and mammograms to underserved women. Women ages 40 or older who are uninsured and earn an income level at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level may qualify for the program.
For questions or more information about the CDP program, call 1-800-511-2300.
Contributor Nicholas Walter compiled this week’s Community Corner. Contact him through the executive editor at rmiller@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Jan 22-29, 2009.
