Dear Editor,
There are groups of people who are more affected by cervical cancer than others. For example, black women in New York State are more likely than white women to be diagnosed with cervical cancer and also to die from the disease. Bisexual women have significantly higher rates of cervical cancer compared with heterosexual women and women in rural areas are less likely to be screened than women in urban areas, making them at higher risk for a cervical cancer diagnosis.
The Cancer Services Program (CSP) of the Hudson Valley works to reduce these health disparities. We provide free screening to people without health insurance who are age 40 and older. We have partnerships with health care providers and community-based organizations to reach people at highest risk for cancer and remove the barriers that get in the way of getting the right care at the right time.
For cervical cancer, the right care at the right time means people with a cervix ages 21 to 29 years old should have a Pap test every three years. Those from age 30 to 65 can choose a Pap test every three years, a high-risk human papillomavirus (HR HPV) test every five years, or a Pap test and HR HPV test every five years. Cervical cancer screening tests can find the cells that lead to cancer so they can be removed. This stops cancer before it starts! Screening also helps to find cervical cancer early when it may be easier to treat.
If you don’t have insurance or a health care provider, call the CSP at 855-277-4482. We can help. For those with insurance, most health insurers cover screening at no cost.
Sara Hodgdon
Regional Director
Cancer Services Program of the Hudson Valley
