• Routine Pap Smears
• HPV Vaccinations (Total 3 shots)*
• HPV Testing
• Breast Examinations

HPV or Human Papillomavirus is a virus which is known to be responsible for six separate human cancers: cervical, vaginal, vulvar, anal, penile and oropharyngeal. There are over 130 different strains of HPV, some low risk and some high risk for their likelihood of causing cancer. This is the same virus responsible for warts on the hands and plantar warts on the feet. Two low risk strains (6 and 11) cause genital warts, while approximately 14 high risk strains are responsible for the cancers listed above.

High risk strains 16 and 18 have been shown to be the most aggressive high risk strains of the virus. The Gardasil vaccine protects against low risk strains 6 and 11 and the most aggressive high risk strains 16 and 18. It is important to get vaccinated before being exposed to the virus, and while approved by the FDA to age 26 it is recommended that the vaccine be given at age 11 or 12 for highest effectiveness. The vaccine is recommended by the FDA for both females and males.

Financial assistance is available from Merck Pharmaceuticals for those who qualify. For more eligibility information click here.