January is Cervical Health Awareness Month

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 09:57:32 -0500
cervicalcancerawareness, cervicalhealth, cervicalhealthmonth, earlydetection, getscreened, preventionmatters

Cervical cancer is preventable, and January is a time to learn, take action, and help spread awareness. The National Cervical Cancer Coalition (NCCC) works year-round to promote cervical health through education, vaccination, and regular screening, in alignment with the World Health Organization's goal to eliminate cervical cancer.

New screening options, including HPV self-collection tests approved by the FDA, may allow some individuals to screen without a pelvic exam. These tests check for high-risk types of HPV that can lead to cervical cancer and have the potential to increase access to lifesaving screening.
Partners, families, and caregivers also play an important role. Learning how to support a loved one through abnormal screening results, follow-up testing, or a cervical cancer diagnosis can make a meaningful difference.

You can get involved by downloading NCCC's advocacy toolkit, connecting with a local NCCC chapter, or sharing cervical health prevention messages throughout the month. Resources include free educational materials, survivor stories, and downloadable posters to help spread awareness.

Screening is easy to schedule at UMBC! You can make an appointment with Retriever Integrated Health (RIH) for cervical screenings and preventive care: UMBC Health Appointments. Learn more, get involved, and help promote cervical health and cervical cancer prevention.