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Sage is gearing up for January activities
Per the American Cancer Society, cervical cancer is most often diagnosed in individuals between the ages of 35 and 44 (the average age at diagnosis is 50). Though it rarely develops in individuals younger than 20, the risk of developing cervical cancer is still present as you age. More than 20% of cervical cancer cases are found in individuals over 65. However, these cancers rarely occur in those who have been getting regular tests to screen for cervical cancer, such as a Pap test or HPV test.
Cervical cancer is the most common cancer linked to HPV in people with a cervix. Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by HPV. Cervical cancer can be found early and even prevented with routine screening tests. The Pap test looks for changes in cervical cells caused by HPV infection. The HPV test looks for the infection itself.
According to the United States Preventive Services Task Force, current cervical cancer screening recommendations for average risk individuals ages 21 to 65 include a Pap smear every three years, or those ages 30 to 65 can receive primary HPV testing alone or co-testing (Pap smear and HPV test) every 5-years.
Between 2015 and 2019, Minnesota’s American Indian population were nearly three times as likely as the state’s non-Hispanic White population to be diagnosed with cervical cancer, and Minnesota’s Asian population was three times more likely to die from the disease compared to the non-Hispanic White population. Furthermore, Asian individuals have the lowest cervical cancer screening rate in the state. (Data from MCRS Factsheet)
Sage is applying its health equity lens to January’s Cervical Cancer Awareness Month campaign by focusing efforts on recruiting both American Indian and Asian American individuals to cervical cancer screening services.
The Sage Program can help pay for routine cervical cancer screening for individuals who qualify. Please call the Sage call center navigators at 1-888-643-2584 or visit the Sage website to find out if you qualify.
Read part of Andrea's story below
Andrea was diagnosed with early-stage cervical cancer at 33 years old. She describes her journey, and as a way to cope with what she’d been through, Andrea designed and wrote a book called The Cervical Cancer Companion.
“When I was dealing with my diagnosis, I felt very alone and isolated. I didn’t know anyone else who had been through something like this and I found that it was somewhat unique that my cancer was discovered before I had children. I desperately wanted a friend to grab my hand and tell me what to expect and walk with me through this experience. The book is intended to be just that for newly-diagnosed women. I share excerpts from my own journaling, provide journaling prompts for each stage of the experience (your first oncology appointment, telling people you have cancer, getting ready for treatment, etc.). There are care calendars and ways to make lists to prepare for what’s to come. I wanted to take everything I learned and help the next person feel less alone.”
Read the remainder of Andrea's story and other cancer survivor stories on the Sage Stories webpage.
If you're unsure about your insurance status and want to find out if you qualify for the Sage Program, please call 1-888-643-2584 or visit the Sage Cancer Screenings Covered Services webpage.
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Tips to help engage your patients
- Patient reminders
- Host a ‘Pappy Hour’ event
- Target ‘never screened’ or ‘overdue’ patients when scheduling Pap smears
- Make it a fun atmosphere with treats, prizes, educational materials, etc.
- Contact Sage to learn how we can help your clinic!
- Display data/reminders/trivia on your in-clinic TVs or on your clinic websites for the month of January!
- Social media engagement
- Make sure to follow the Minnesota Department of Health on Facebook, X, and Instagram to stay engaged and re-post cervical cancer awareness content!
Recommendations and data
HPV vaccination for pre-teens between 9 and 12 years of age can help protect them from more than 90% of HPV-related cancers including cervical cancer. Those who do not start or finish the vaccine series can be vaccinated through age 26 years. Although vaccination is not recommended for everyone older than 26 years of age, health care providers can consider discussing vaccination with people up to age 45. Visit ACIP Shared Clinical Decision-Making Recommendations FAQs for more information.
As of July 2023, less than 60% of Minnesota 13-year-olds have started the vaccine series and less than 30% have completed it. Vaccine series completion is crucial to reduce disproportionate cervical cancer rates seen in Black, Asian, Hispanic, and American Indian Minnesotans. To learn more about adolescent vaccination rates in Minnesota, visit Adolescent Immunizations.
MDH suggests that providers start recommending HPV vaccination for their patients at age nine. Starting early provides more opportunities to complete the series and to address parent questions. At this age, the focus of the conversation can be on cancer prevention and concerns about sexual activity are lessened. Visit For Health Care Providers Serving Adolescents for information on HPV vaccine recommendations and other strategies.
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