Friends tell friends how to prevent cervical cancer!

Did you know that more than half of all sexually active people will test positive for an STD known as human papillomavirus, or HPV, at some time in their lives? It's true! What's even scarier is that certain types of HPV are the most common cause of cervical cancer.

Fortunately, cervical cancer can almost be erased from our future through proper screening and vaccination.

Don't take our word for it! Click here to read the facts on HPV and cervical cancer from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Savannah Derby Devils want to raise awareness of local opportunities to prevent HPV and cervical cancer. We will also be raising money for the Community Health Mission which provides gynecological exams for area uninsured and under-insured women.

 Join with us in supporting healthy, strong women!

   Lower your risk of developing cervical cancer

• Practice safe sex. Use a condom.
• Get a Pap test. The Pap test can find cell changes (caused by HPV) on your cervix.
• Get an HPV test. It can find the “high risk” types of HPV that may be linked to cervical cancer. Your health professional may use this test to help decide how soon you should get your next Pap test and what (if any) other tests you may need.
• Get vaccinated. There is now a three-dose vaccine that protects against four common types of genital HPV which cause most cervical cancers and genital warts. This HPV vaccine has been licensed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as safe and effective for females ages 9 to 26 years. Even if you've been diagnosed with genital worts, the vaccine could still prevent you from getting other, more deadly strains of HPV.

   Looking for low-cost gyno exams or the HPV vaccine?

• Talk to your ob/gyn. Some insurance covers the HPV vaccine.
• Visit your health department. Area health departments offer free HPV vaccination through September, 2010. The three-part vaccination requires only a $14 administrative fee that can be waived if you can't afford it.
• Meet our friends at the Community Heatlh Mission. This local nonprofit clinic provides gynecological exams for uninsured and under-insured women. Visit http://www.chmsavannah.org for information.