Cervical Cancer Awareness Starts with an Appointment

The American Cancer Society's most recent estimates for cervical cancer in the United States for 2011 are:

• About 12,710 new cases of invasive cervical cancer will be diagnosed.
• About 4,290 women will die from cervical cancer.

Some researchers estimate that non-invasive cervical cancer occurs about 4 times more often than invasive cervical cancer.

January is celebrated as National Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, and while we should always be mindful of our risks, this month is all about raising the bar of awareness to the disease.

Many have talked over the last few years about screening for women’s cancers and the causes of such cancer, but one message always stands clear – talk to your health care provider about your risk, prevention measures and options for screenings.

“Cervical cancer can often be found early and sometimes even prevented entirely, by having regular Pap tests”, said Dr. Tom Patton, Baptist Medical Group gynecologic oncologist. “It is extremely important to have an annual visit with your physician to prevent certain types of female cancers.”

Start the New Year off right with an appointment with a Baptist Medical Group primary care doctor or any of our compassionate OB/GYN physicians that will keep you healthy and strong for 2012. For more information or to establish a relationship with a new doctor, call 437.8600 or click here to search our physician directory.