Genesee County Health Department

Better Life Through Better Health

Date: January 7, 2009

 Release Date:  Immediate                              End date: January 31, 2009

 Contact:  Dianna LaBonte, R.N., B.S.N.

                Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program

                (810) 237-4571

Re:  Cervical Cancer Awareness

If detected early, nearly all deaths from cervical cancer can be prevented.  Most cervical cancers develop over a long period of time.  It is during this time that abnormal tissue can be detected through a test called a Pap smear.  The abnormal tissue can then be removed by a health care provider, preventing the further development and spread of the cancer.  During 2004, 358 women in Michigan were diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer.  In 2006, 101 women in Michigan died of cervical cancer. 

Risk factors for cervical cancer include smoking, HIV infection and current or past Chlamydia infection.  The greatest risk factor for cervical cancer is an infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), a common sexually transmitted infection.  Although people have heard little about HPV, infection with HPV is very common and often has no signs or symptoms.  The Centers for Disease Control and prevention (CDC) estimate that 50% of sexually active people catch HPV in their lifetime.   HPV infection can be prevented by a vaccine available to girls and women ages 11-26

The Michigan Cancer Consortium, the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH), and the American Cancer Society recommend that:

• All women who are age 21 and older or who have been sexually active for three years have a Pap smear every year.
• After three consecutive normal exams, the Pap test may be performed every two years, at the health care provider’s discretion.

Women who have not had a Pap smear test in the last year or two or are unsure when they are due for the test should talk to their health care provider.  The Genesee County Health Department’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program (BCCCP) offers FREE Pap smears, pelvic exams, clinical breast exams and mammograms to women age 40 and older that are uninsured or underinsured and income qualified.  The program accepts Genesee Health Plan, straight Medicaid and Medicare Part A.  For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact the Genesee County Health Department at (810) 237-4545.

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