Each year, the turning of a calendar page brings waves of enthusiasm, resolve, and hope.
It’s a time of rebirth, of starting fresh, of hoping for a better year than the last. This January, we’d like to remind you to take care of yourself. After all, we believe that nothing is sexier than self-care.
January is Cervical Cancer Awareness month – an unsexy, but important reminder to be aware that it is the third most common type of cancer affecting women, and it gets a heck of a lot less publicity than breast cancer. Screenings for cervical cancer are easy and quick – your yearly Pap smear is the best first line of defense against a disease that often yields few symptoms. If caught in the very early stages, it is very treatable. Currently a vaccine for the virus that causes many (but not all) cases is available, and may be offered to both boys and girls starting at age 9. It does not protect against all strains of HPV (human papilloma virus), but it is a start in protecting yourself against two specific strains that cause the most cases of cervical cancer. It is also worth noting that these strains of HPV can also cause other types of cancer – so protecting yourself with the vaccine and safer sex practices is very important.
We aren’t doctors, so for more details, please consult your physician. If you are in need of free or low cost services in the Charlottesville area, check out the partnership between the Charlottesville Free Clinic and The Women’s Initiative, . We love all our customers – and we hope you have a very happy and healthy 2015.