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Gridley Herald

Butte County Recognizes January as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

Jan 15, 2024 02:07PM ● By Butte County News Release

BUTTE COUNTY, CA (MPG) - In Butte County, women are dying of cervical cancer at one of the highest rates in California. Butte County Public Health (BCPH), in collaboration with Soroptimist International of Chico (SIC) — an organization dedicated to transforming the lives of women and girls — have come together to increase awareness of this deadly disease, encourage residents to recognize that cervical cancer is preventable and support women in our lives to take charge of their health. In support of this mission, today, the Butte County Board of Supervisors joins with many other counties and esteemed organizations in adopting a resolution recognizing January as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. The motion was unanimously passed.

“In 2015, I lost a dear friend and colleague to Cervical Cancer…she was 34. Cervical cancer is preventable, yet the current data is alarming. In the United States, six out of ten cervical cancers occur in women who have never been screened. We are working closely with the Public Health Department and local healthcare agencies to educate and empower women to make informed health decisions and emphasize the need for regular pap smears,” said Amy Louis, president of SIC.

Cervical cancer is cancer that starts in the cells of the cervix, the lowermost part of the uterus, and is primarily caused by an infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is passed from one person to another during sexual contact, including skin-to-skin contact. All women are at risk for developing cervical cancer, however, vulnerable communities lacking access to healthcare and life-saving prevention tools are disproportionally impacted.

Preventing HPV and screening for cervical cancer are the two most effective actions every woman should take to protect against cervical cancer. HPV can be prevented by using a condom every time you have any kind of sex, getting tested and treated for sexually transmitted infections, not smoking or vaping, and getting the HPV vaccination.

Cervical cancer screening is performed by getting an HPV test and a pap test. Both can be done in a doctor’s office or clinic that offers these services.

Cervical Cancer Screening Clinic (FREE or Low-Cost) | Ampla Health: 680 Cohasset Road, Chico

Soroptimist International of Chico is sponsoring two Cervical Cancer Screening Clinics at Ampla Health in Chico for women ages 21-65. To book an appointment, call Ampla Health: 530-342-4395. Appointments are encouraged. Walk-ins are welcome.

-January 16, 2024, 1:30 pm - 7:30 pm

-January 20, 2024, 10:30 am - 7:30 pm

(Please bring a photo ID. No insurance is required.)

Ampla Health clinic services will include: Pap Test, HPV Test, HPV Vaccine, Health Education, Gift Cards and more!

Butte County Public Health Clinic | Cervical Cancer Screening (Free or Low-Cost)

Cervical cancer screenings are available at the BCPH Clinics in Chico and Oroville for women who have Medi-Cal, do not have health insurance, or qualify based on income. Additionally, Family PACT (familypact.org/) and Every Woman Counts (EWC) (www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/Cancer/ewc/Pages/default.aspx) programs are available to qualifying women.

Call today to schedule your cervical cancer screening appointment with BCPH:

Chico Public Health Clinic, 695 Oleander Ave., 530-552-3959

Oroville Public Health Clinic, 78 Table Mountain Blvd., 530-552-3918

For more information about cervical cancer prevention and screening, please visit the BCPH website: www.buttecounty.net/684/Breast-Cervical-Cancer-Screening.