Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

January is cervical cancer awareness month and the Muskingum Valley Health Center is looking to raise awareness.

Cervical cancer happens to be one of the most preventable types of cancer by early detection and through HPV testing. This afternoon, we spoke with the Medical Director of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department about the virus itself and what women can do to help protect themselves.

"With the paradigm shift that we were talking about, the specific types which we have just learned is the type 16 and 18 serotypes of the HPV that is the culprit that causes the disease itself. And like I said, unfortunately we do not have an anti-viral medication that can prevent that other than our immunization which is really important as well as early screening with early detection."

To help promote awareness, the health center is offering free cervical cancer screenings throughout the month of January.

"Well right now, through MVHC Health Centers, we’re offering free screening for women in the Zanesville center, in the Mulit-center, as well as the Coshocton center regardless of payment type and the important thing is to get early screening done, early prevention for the detection to prevent the disease itself."

The screenings are open to both patients and non-patients in Zanesville, Malta and Coshocton. All you have to do is call ahead to make an appointment.