Last year, 400 women in North Carolina were diagnosed with one of the most preventable forms of cancer, and 124 died from it.

According to statistics from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, finding cervical cancer early is the key to treating and curing it.

“Cervical cancer is very preventable. With both breast and cervical cancer, early detection is everything,” said Linda Rascoe, director of the North Carolina Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention Program. It funds the provision of free cervical cancer screenings by local facilities to women over the age of 40 who are at least 250 percent below the poverty level.

A DHHS report says the cervical cancer death rate is 50 percent higher among both African American and Hispanic women. According to Rascoe, minority women are disproportionately impacted by the disease, as well as women who have limited access to resources and education on the topic.

“Women who qualify for our program through the local providing agency will receive free screening, education, and follow-up. Those who are both screened and diagnosed through our program can receive special Breast and Cervical Cancer Medicaid (BCCM) coverage, which will pay for their treatment.”

Rascoe said that the NCBCCPP provides funding for the local program at the Richmond County Health Department.

“All women, whether they are sexually active or not, need to get their pap smears. It’s a generally painless procedure that takes about five minutes, and it is the only way to know the health of your reproductive organs.”

The NCBCCPP also advocates Gardasil, the vaccination that protects against certain types of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), the sexually-transmitted virus that causes cervical cancer.

“For anyone who has teenagers, we especially encourage young women to get vaccinated,” said Rascoe.

The vaccine, and all preventative services, are available through many different sources in Richmond County.

“The Gardasil vaccine is very effective at preventing the most commonly known strains of the virus that causes cervical cancer,” said Tommy Jarrell, director for the Richmond County Health Department.

According to Jarrell, all women can receive the Gardasil vaccine at the health department - where it is free for qualifying individuals - and many local physicians’ offices.

For more information, call 997-8300.