Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
LINCOLN – The month of January was Cervical Cancer Prevention Month. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) encourages women to schedule regular Pap tests and discuss other preventive measures, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, with their healthcare providers, to dramatically lower the risk of developing cervical cancer.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the five-year relative survival rate for cervical cancer is 67% overall. However, that rate jumps to 91% when the disease is detected early, underscoring the importance of regular screening. Cervical cancer is largely preventable through regular Pap tests and HPV vaccination, which provide an effective means of detecting precancerous changes. This allows for an early diagnosis, which can help increase a woman’s chance of survival.
An important resource for under or uninsured Nebraskans is the Every Woman Matters (EWM) Program. EWM is a federally-funded program that pays for office visits associated with Pap tests, pelvic exams, clinical breast exams, age-appropriate mammography, and diagnostic and follow-up tests. To be eligible for cervical cancer screening through EWM, women need to be aged 21 to 64 with household incomes at or below 250% of the federal poverty guidelines (i.e., a family of four could have a household income of up to $80,375) and with little to no health insurance. To enroll, fill out a Healthy Lifestyle Questionnaire: https://bit.ly/EWM-NCP-HLQ In Nebraska, between 1992 and 2024, through EWM, 99 women were diagnosed with invasive cervical cancers, and around 3,700 women were diagnosed with cervical precancers. Despite these numbers, the outlook is far better for women who receive timely screenings and follow-up care. While cervical cancer continues to impact women across Nebraska, early detection and prevention efforts are saving lives.
“No woman should face a diagnosis of invasive cervical cancer or lose her life to a disease that is largely preventable,” said Dr. Timothy Tesmer, DHHS Chief Medical Officer. "DHHS remains committed to expanding education, strengthening preventive efforts, and ensuring access to timely cervical cancer screening so that every woman in Nebraska has the opportunity to protect her health.”
For more information, visit https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Womens-and-Mens-Health.aspx or call 800-532-2227.
