HOPES is committed to our mission to build a healthier community and as a primary care provider, we understand the vital role preventative care plays in an individual’s health. That’s why we offer preventative screenings like pap smears and vaccinations, including HPV vaccinations.
According to the CDC, you can lower your risk for cervical cancer by getting screened regularly. HOPES providers can test for cervical cancer by completing pap smears which can detect human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cell changes.
HOPES services also help patients overcome barriers of transportation to a specialist for additional services and financial barriers, by offering programs that cover the costs of this screening. Once this screening is complete, the patient typically does not need further testing for 3-5 years.
Another prevention tool, the HPV vaccine, protects against the types of HPV that most often cause cervical cancers. HPV can also cause other kinds of cancer in both men and women.
If you are a HOPES patient and interested in getting screened or vaccinated, talk to your provider about getting your pap completed.