About Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer often strikes women in the prime of their lives, often while they are busy building a career, raising children and making valuable contributions to their communities. However, cervical cancer is preventable through vaccination against cancer-causing strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), periodic cervical screenings, and if necessary, treatment of cervical lesions before they can develop into cancer. If adolescents and women can access these interventions, we can end cervical cancer as a public health problem.
How Can We Prevent Cervical Cancer?
We have two major tools to prevent cervical cancer: HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening. Also, timely follow up is critical if any abnormalities are found during screening.
What is Cervical Cancer?
HPV Vaccination
Cervical Cancer Screening
Cervical Cancer in Alabama
Alabama has among the highest death rates from cervical cancer in the U.S., even though this is one of the few cancers that can be prevented. Cervical cancer mortality rates track nearly 50% higher in Alabama than in the rest of the country.
Promoting education and ensuring access to affordable vaccination, screening, and treatment services for adolescents and women in Alabama, and across the South, are critical for reversing the declines in screening and vaccination, and the resulting high mortality rates.
Alabama Cancer Statistics 2023
Alabama Cancer Statistics:
Focus on Cervical Cancer
We have the tools to save lives, and eligible women and adolescents can access them at no cost in our state.
Most health insurance plans cover the costs of HPV vaccination. The Vaccines for Children (VFC) program also provides vaccines for children ages 18 years and younger who are uninsured or whose health insurance does not pay for the vaccine, Medicaid-eligible children, and American Indian/Alaska Natives.
Most health insurances cover cervical cancer screening. The Alabama Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program covers screening and follow-up for women who qualify for the program.