TAZEWELL COUNTY, Ill. – The Tazewell County Health Department is hoping to bring more awareness to a form of cancer that can often be easily detected, easily preventable, and easily treatable.
January is “Cervical Cancer Awareness Month.”
“The more we can raise awareness, the more people are aware of the screenings that can happen,” said Sara Sparkman, Tazewell County Health Department. “If you get a cervical cancer screening, if there is unusual cells or anything unusual, you can usually have that treated, and get that…treatment going fairly quickly.”
Cervical cancer is most likely spread by the Human Papilloma Virus or HPV, and that commonly spreads through sexual activity.
HPV, Sparkman says, can be prevented by a vaccine.
“The Health Department does also offer the HPV vaccine to young people, and that is through our clinic,” said Sparkman. “We usually start that as children are pre-teens, boys and girls.”
If you suspect you have cervical cancer and can’t afford treatment, you can still get it through the Tazewell County Health Department, and its participation in the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program.
“The Tazewell County Health Department is the lead agency for Tazewell, Woodford, Peoria, and Marshall Counties,” said Sparkman. “Any women in those four counties who are interested in getting a cervical cancer screening…could be free for them if they are uninsured or under-insured. They just need to call the Health Department (at 309-925-5511).”
With January being Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, there’s also a Cervical Cancer Screening Day January 30th at Heartland Health Services in Pekin. Call the Health Department for more information.
This week, the Murray Baker Bridge is lit in the color of teal for Cervical Cancer Awareness Month.
