January is Cervical Health Awareness Month. The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) BreastCare program coordinates efforts with a statewide network of providers offering no-cost cervical and breast cancer screenings and follow-up services.
Cervical cancer is largely preventable with Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination, and routine pap tests to detect pre-cancers. Yet, in 2023, an estimated 160 Arkansas women were diagnosed with cervical cancer, and 60 women died due to cervical cancer. The state currently ranks as fifth lowest for pap tests that can detect cervical cancer and eighth lowest for HPV vaccination among girls 13-17 years old that can prevent cervical cancer.
Women ages 21-64 can be screened for cervical cancer regardless of ethnicity or nationality through the ADH BreastCare program. Since its inception, the BreastCare Program has enrolled over 137,500 women for breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services. Additionally, the program provides educational information to communities about the importance of regular cervical cancer screening.
For more information about cervical cancer screening, call (833) 693-2942 or visit www.ARBreastCare.com to see if you are eligible and to find a provider.