Cervical Health Month Published Jan. 20, 2009 By Lt. Col. Carolyn Calvin 325th Medical Operations Squadron, Women's Health Clinic Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. -- January is "Cervical Health Month" and there have been some new advances in the field of women's cervical health. One change is the introduction of the Human Papillomavirus vaccine. There have been some minor changes in the recommended initiation and frequency of cervical cancer screening, or the Pap test. The HPV vaccine is available to all females ages 9-26 who have not been previously vaccinated. The vaccine protects against four HPV strains that cause most cervical cancers and genital warts. It is most effective when administered before the onset of sexual activity and consists of a series of three injections. While the vaccine offers protection against some forms of HPV, which can cause cervical cancer, the recommendations for cervical cancer screening should be continued. Recommendation by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists for cervical cancer screening are as follows: Initial testing should begin three years after onset of sexual activity (or by age 21) and continue annually until age 30. At age 30 testing can be done every three years after three consecutive negative Pap tests. ACOG also recommends that teens visit the ob-gyn between the ages of 13 and 15. This initial visit is a good time to discuss the vaccination and cervical health. For more information, call 283-7674.