Highlands ARH OB-GYN advises Perry County on cervical cancer prevention

An OB-GYN at Highlands ARH is using Cervical Cancer Awareness Month to remind Perry County residents that cervical cancer is largely preventable with routine screening and early care. The message emphasizes Pap tests, HPV testing, and vaccination as primary tools to reduce illness and deaths in this rural community.

Screening typically begins at age 21. For those aged 21-29, Pap tests every three years are recommended. People aged 30-65 are advised to use HPV testing alone or co-testing with Pap every five years, or to continue Pap testing every three years when HPV testing is not used. HPV vaccination is recommended routinely at ages 11-12, with catch-up vaccination available through age 45. The OB-GYN stressed that these measures, when used together, can prevent most cervical cancers by detecting precancerous changes and blocking the virus that causes them.

Residents should also be alert to warning signs that require prompt evaluation. Symptoms that the OB-GYN highlighted include irregular vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, and changes in urinary or bowel function. Those experiencing these signs are encouraged to contact their health provider rather than wait, since timely assessment can lead to earlier, less invasive treatment.

The public-health implications are significant for Perry County and surrounding coalfield communities. Rural populations often face barriers to preventive care - including transportation challenges, variable clinic hours, and gaps in health insurance coverage - that can delay screening and vaccination. Highlands ARH serves the region and plays a role in closing those gaps through local clinical services and outreach. Increasing uptake of screening and vaccine can reduce disparities in cancer outcomes that disproportionately affect low-income and rural residents.

At the policy level, sustaining access requires coordinated support for clinics, school-based vaccine initiatives, and funding for patient education. Local health systems, community organizations, and county leaders all have parts to play in making sure appointments, transportation, and clear information are available to families across the county and in outlying hollows.

For many Perry County families, prevention is practical and personal. Making time for a scheduled Pap or HPV test, bringing children in for the HPV series at the recommended ages, and seeking care when symptoms appear can cut the risk of late-stage cancer. Highlands ARH’s reminder this month aims to translate that public-health guidance into action at kitchen tables, workplaces, and church basements across the community.

What comes next is local follow-through: residents should speak with their primary care clinician or OB-GYN about screening history and vaccine options, and community leaders should prioritize removing barriers that keep people from getting preventive care. Continued local outreach during and after Cervical Cancer Awareness Month will determine whether prevention reaches every corner of Perry County.