PEORIA, Ill. — The Murray Baker Bridge was lit up in teal lights Wednesday night to increase awareness about cervical cancer.
The teal lights will stay lit through Wednesday, January 26 in observance of Cervical Cancer Awareness Month.
Sara Sparkman, with the Tazewell County Health Department, says the “Reveal the Teal” campaign, new this year, encourages women to get screened for cervical cancer.
In most cases, cervical cancer is preventable.
“HPV is Human papillomavirus, and it is the virus that causes the majority of cervical cancers. So, we do encourage children start
at about 11-years-old to get the vaccine for HPV, and that will prevent them from getting the virus,” Sparkman says.
In turn, that prevents girls from getting cervical cancer, or mouth or throat cancer from HPV in boys.
The American Cancer Society says women should start getting cervical cancer screenings at age 25.
To be screened for cervical cancer, Sparkman says you should contact your primary care physician.
“If they don’t have insurance, they are welcome to call the Tazewell County Health Department at (309) 929-0264, to see if they can qualify for a free screening with our program,” Sparkman says.
Get more information from the Tazewell County Health Department HERE.
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