Cervical cancer is often on the minds of many women. New research data is being released every day on treatments, causes, and – more importantly – prevention. Because testing and screening women has become so important in the prevention of cervical cancer, many organizations and government agencies now offer free screenings to low-income or other qualified women. Cervical cancer is deadly, just like any other cancer can be. It is best to be screened for it, regardless of whether you qualify for a free screening.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends a cervical screening for all women a minimum of 3 years after they become sexually active or 21 years old whichever comes first. It also recommends a cervical screening no more often than 3 years apart. Pap smears are still recommended yearly. They have also found that cervical cancer screenings are not that useful in women 70 years old and older.
The CDC, the Center for Disease Control offers a free screening to qualified women of the USA. They have locations all over the USA. To see if you qualify visit their breast and cervical cancer page at their website. Their website also offers in depth information on what cervical cancer is and why it is still important to have yearly Pap smears.
Below I have listed the west coast states website pages that have information on their free or low cost cervical cancer screening programs. To qualify for the “free” screening you must have a low income or no or little health insurance. Those same programs also offer a reduced cost screening for those who do not qualify for the free screenings. Some have age restrictions so read them carefully.
Alaska
California
Hawaii
Idaho
Nevada
Oregon
Washington
The age qualifications range widely from 18 to 59 years of age. Nevada for example covers free or reduced-cost screenings for women over the age of 40 while California covers women 25 and older. Each state also has different income brackets to qualify in.
If you don’t live in one of the states I have listed you can do a simple search for your area. In most cases, you can type into the search engine “www (your state’s name).gov,” and you will get to your states home page. Look for a search box and type in “cervical,” you will come up with their cervical cancer screening program page almost every time.
Other places to check for free cervical cancer screenings would be your local county run health services and local Planned Parenthood chapters. Both of them can be found in your local phone book. Check your local newspaper for announcements of clinics in your area. Most newspapers also have a website so you can check them online. You can also call a local Gyn/OB doctors office, they just might be part of a free or low cost program or they can direct you to the right place.
When you have your appointment set for your exam, treat it as you would any other doctors’ office visit. Take with you your list of medications, the date of your last menstrual period, a list of your family members that had cancer. Wear comfortable clothes. Then relax you are taking care of your health. This is the time you do something for you.
