JANUARY IS NATIONAL CERVICAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

HEALTH DEPARTMENT SPONSORS NO COST GYNECOLOGICAL EXAMS

 TO ELIGIBLE RESIDENTS

BEL AIR, MD (January 9,2007)— Last year, almost 10,000 women in the United States learned that they

have cancer of the cervix and 4,000 women died from cervical cancer.   According to Dr. Andrew Bernstein,

Health Officer for Harford County, “Because there are usually no early symptoms of cervical cancer, it is

critical for women to understand the importance of having regular pelvic exams and pap tests which can

detect abnormal cells in and around the cervix.”

     January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness Month.  Communities across the country are encouraging

 women to have regular pelvic exams and pap tests to screen for cervical cancer.  When caught early, cervical

cancer is highly cureable.  Women should also report any of the following to their physicians immediately:

• Any unusual discharge from the vagina (not your normal period)
• Blood spots or light bleeding other than your normal period
• Bleeding or pain after sex, douching, or after pelvic exam

     The Harford County Health Department’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program is sponsoring

 gynecological exams for women at no cost who meet program guidelines.  Women aged 40-64, have limited

income, and little or no health insurance may be eligible.  For more information on breast and

cervical cancer and program guidelines, please call the Health Department at (443) 643-0350.

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