CHRISTUS St. Catherine Hospital in Katy Urges Women to
Learn the Facts about Cervical Cancer

701 South Fry Road
Katy, TX 77450-2255
(281) 599-5700

Cervical cancer – in most cases – is preventable. We know what will cause it, and we have the technology to fight the disease. While some diseases have easily detectable symptoms, more often than not, cervical cancer can go undetected without any warning signs until it is in its later stages. That’s why it’s imperative for women to become more educated about the disease and take preventative measures. CHRISTUS St. Catherine Hospital and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommend the following preventive screening tests:

• Regular Well Woman Examinations: The best way to detect cervical cancer is by having regular “Well Woman” examinations. A well woman exam entails a routine pelvic examination, Pap testing and breast examination. The Pap test or Pap smear looks for precancerous cell changes on the cervix that may become cervical cancer if they are not treated appropriately.
• The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Test: The HPV test looks for the virus that can cause these cell changes. Talk with your doctor, nurse, or other health care professional about whether the HPV test is right for you.
• HPV Vaccine: Two HPV vaccines are available to protect females against the types of HPV that cause most cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers. Both vaccines are recommended for 11- and 12-year-old girls, and for females 13 through 26 years of age who did not get any or all of the shots when they were younger. These vaccines also can be given to girls as young as 9 years of age.