Top 10 Things to Know About Cervical Cancer

  • Published
  • By Mark B. Devaughn
  • Healthnet Federal Services
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Top 10 Things to Know About Cervical Cancer

This January is Cervical Cancer awareness month and Health Net Federal
Services wants every woman in the TRICARE North Region to be cervical
cancer-free. TRICARE beneficiaries who receive their health care from
civilian providers are screened for cervical cancer less frequently than
the national average. Let's change those numbers and save lives.

Here's what you need to know about cervical cancer:

1. Cervical cancer is preventable.
2. Regular Pap tests can catch abnormal cells before they turn into
cervical cancer.
3. Cervical cancer is slow growing. On average, it takes 10 years to
develop.
4. Women in their 40s and 50s are at the greatest risk.
5. If you have never had a Pap test or not had one in a long time, it's
not too late.
6. Early stage cervical cancer can be treated.
7. Cervical cancer is caused by HPV, a virus.
8. There's a vaccine to protect you from the most dangerous HPVs.
9. A Pap test is quick, easy and painless.
10. There's no cost to you, as a TRICARE beneficiary, when you see
a network provider. TRICARE covers Pap tests for women over 18 years
of age from a network provider.

For more information, visit our Cervical Cancer Awareness Campaign running
throughout the month of January 2013 at www.hnfs.com. We also invite you to
follow our cervical cancer posts on Facebook.

Make a commitment today. If you need your screening, call your provider
today. If you're current on your screening, encourage someone in your life
to get theirs. You can help save a life.