Protecting your patients from Cervical Cancer includes performing pap smears and yearly physicals. The American Cancer Society recommends that Pap tests be started at 21 years of age.
Women who are sexually active are recommended to be screened for other Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) such as Chlamydia.
Protection also includes the HPV (Human papillomavirus) Vaccine.

• Females as young as 9 years of age can receive it, but is highly recommended for 11 and 12 year-old girls. It is also recommended for women aged 13-26 who have not completed the series.
• Males ages 9 – 26 can also receive the vaccine. It will prevent anal cancer and genital warts in males.

More Information:

•  Sanford Health Plan Preventive Health Guidelines
• Sanford Cancer Center
• American Cancer Society
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• National Cancer Institute

Sanford Health Plan has educational materials on these and other lifestyle topics. Please call the Care Management Department at 1-888-315-0884 to receive materials to provide to your Sanford Health Plan patients.

Important Events/Observances
Cervical Health Awareness Month – January