Cervical Health Awareness Month is recognized nationwide in January, and health officials encourage women to be proactive in their cervical health.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, all women are at risk for cervical cancer, although it occurs most often in women older than 30.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) has estimated about 13,960 new cases of invasive cervical cancer would be diagnosed in the United States in 2023, leading to about 4,310 deaths. Hispanic women have the highest rates of developing cervical cancer, and Black women have the highest rates of dying from the disease.

Cervical cancer is most frequently diagnosed in women between the ages of 35 and 44. Many older women don’t realize that the risk of developing cervical cancer is still present as they age. More than 20 percent of cases of cervical cancer are found in women over 65.

Other factors can increase the risk of cervical cancer, according to a statement from the Georgia Department of Public Health’s South Health District:

– Having HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) or another condition that makes it hard for the body to fight off health problems

– Smoking

– Using birth control pills for a long time (five or more years)

– Having given birth to three or more children

– Having several sexual partners

When caught early, cervical cancer is highly treatable, health officials said.

According to the CDC, the most important things you can do to help prevent cervical cancer is to get vaccinated against HPV, have regular screening tests and go back to the doctor if screening test results are not normal

HPV vaccines are available through the county health department or private provider. Vaccination is recommended for preteens ages 11 to 12 years.

If vaccination is started before age 15, a two-dose schedule is recommended, with the doses given 6 to 12 months apart. For people who start the series after their 15th birthday, the vaccine is given in a series of three shots

Vaccination is recommended for everyone through age 26, according to health officials.

Good advice for good cervical health.

For information on cervical cancer, such as how it’s diagnosed and treated, visit the CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov.