Throughout the year, we mark different months in tribute to certain types of cancer—remembering those lost to the disease and the ongoing efforts to fight its spread, as well as raising awareness about risk factors and preventative measures. In January, attention turns to cervical cancer, a serious form of the disease that affects women of all ages around the world. In honor of Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, it’s important not to just learn about the condition but to use that information to take actionable steps to reduce your own risk or share what you’ve learned to educate others.
So, here are five facts to raise your own cervical cancer awareness and help you and your loved ones stay protected and proactive:
- Cervical cancer is the third most common type of cancer for women across all age groups, though it is most frequently seen in women over 30.
- Nearly all cases of cervical cancer are connected to untreated human papillomavirus, a sexually transmitted disease. It’s estimated that nearly half of sexually active adults will have HPV at some point in their lives.
- Mortality rates of cervical cancer are on the decline, thanks in large part to the emergence of an HPV vaccine and more advanced Pap screening tests.
- Cervical cancer often causes no symptoms in its earliest stages, which is why it’s referred to as the “silent killer.” Later-stage symptoms include vaginal bleeding.
- In addition to HPV, there are a number of risk factors for cervical cancer, including longtime use of birth control pills, smoking, having given birth more than three times, having many sexual partners, and being positive for HIV.
This Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, make sure you and the women in your life receive yearly Pap tests and take precautions to reduce all risk factors for cervical cancer, so together we can keep working to reduce the cancer’s impact on our society.
Have you been diagnosed with cervical cancer? If you have at least $75,000 of life insurance coverage, find out if you qualify for a loan from Life Credit or call us at 1-888-274-1777 to speak to a representative today.
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