CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Adventist Health Clear Lake is joining Partnership HealthPlan of California and other health care providers in Lake and Mendocino County to encourage women to receive a cervical cancer screening, also known as a pap test.

Adventist Health Clear Lake offers the screenings at its medical offices in Clearlake and Middletown.

The American Cancer Society estimates that in the 2018, about 13,240 new cases of invasive cervical cancer will be diagnosed and about 4,170 women will die from cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer was once one of the most common causes of cancer death for American women.

The cervical cancer death rate dropped significantly with the increased use of the pap test. This screening procedure can find changes in the cervix before cancer develops. It can also find cervical cancer early, when it's small and easier to cure.

The American Cancer Society recommends that women have their first pap test at age 21. If results are normal, women can wait three years for their next pap test.

At age 30, if test results are normal it is advised that women continue to be screened every three years, or get both the pap test and HPV test (which tests for the human papillomavirus, the virus that causes cell changes that can lead to cervical cancer) every five years. Women can stop being screened at age 65 if they have had normal pap tests results for many years.

Pap tests are unnecessary for women who have had their cervix removed during surgery for a non-cancerous condition, such as fibroids.

The Pap test takes approximately five minutes, and results are usually available within one to three weeks. This preventative screening is covered by most insurance plans, including Partnership HealthPlan of California.

To schedule an appointment at the Adventist Health Clear Lake Medical Office – Clearlake, call 707-995-4537.

To schedule an appointment at the Adventist Health Clear Lake Medical Office – Middletown, call 707-987-3311.