1. Cervical cancer is nearly 100% preventable with education, screening, and treatment.

2. The Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a very common sexually transmitted infection, causes nearly all cervical cancers.

3. Three in 4 adults – men and women – will have HPV at some point in life.

4. HPV infections often go away without treatment, but some infections cause cellular changes, which can develop into cervical cancer.

5. HPV is spread through skin-to-skin contact, so you can contract HPV even if you are a virgin. Safer sex practices can reduce the spread of HPV.

6. Regular healthcare is essential because HPV infections and cervical cancer often have no symptoms.

7. When in doubt, schedule a yearly women’s health exam, your doctor can tell you how often and what screening tools are right for you.

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More about Screening, Vaccination & Men
Screening: When found early, abnormal cells can be removed and cancer prevented. The Pap test is the most common cervical cancer prevention tool. It looks for abnormal cells that can develop into cervical cancer. The HPV test (given to women over 30) looks for high-risk types of HPV that can cause abnormal cells.

Vaccination: Gardasil is a vaccine approved for women ages 9-26. It targets four high-risk strains of HPV, which account for about 70% of cervical cancers and about 90% of genital warts. Women who have been vaccinated must still be screened because the vaccine doesn’t protect against all high-risk HPV types.

Men: While The Hicks Foundation's mission is to prevent cervical cancer in women, we believe men deserve the same education & prevention tools. Men carry the HPV virus and are at risk for other cancers that can be prevented with safer sex practices. The HPV vaccine may soon be available for men. We also believe men play a crucial role in supporting the women they love to get care and stay educated!

Healthcare: Basic screenings can prevent the enormous financial and emotional cost of cancer treatment. Still, we know health care is expensive. Our website has links to Vermont state resources for those who can't afford care. We also host a yearly Free Screening Day with local providers. We encourage fans to leave comments about health care options in other states.