Cervical Cancer Screening Month: Why Early Detection Matters and How to Get Screened

Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers - if it’s caught early. Each year in the U.S., thousands of people are diagnosed with cervical cancer, even though regular screening could detect most of those precancerous changes long before cancer ever develops. January is Cervical Cancer Screening Month and we want to pause, share accurate information and remind our community that preventive care saves lives.

At Normandy Park’s Inclusive Aesthetics, wellness screenings that include screening for cervical cancer are part of how we support whole-person health because feeling confident in your body also means taking care of what’s happening beneath the surface.

What Is Cervical Cancer Screening?

Cervical cancer screenings typically include one or both of the following tests:

• Pap tests, which look for abnormal or precancerous cell changes on the cervix

• HPV tests, which detect high-risk strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) that can cause cervical cancer

These tests are quick, routine and can detect changes long before symptoms ever appear. In many cases, cervical cancer has no warning signs at all, which is why regular screening is so important in detection. It’s recommended that cervical cancer screening is done for people ages 21–64.

Why Early Detection Matters

• Cancer screening saves lives.

• Cervical cancer is much easier to treat when found early

• Early treatment often means less invasive care and better outcomes

• Routine screening can prevent cancer entirely by catching changes before they become cancer

• As we age, risk increases and skipping screenings can allow issues to go unnoticed for years

Access to Care Matters

Not everyone has easy access to preventive healthcare, and that gap disproportionately affects people who are already underserved.

In Washington State, the Breast, Cervical and Colon Health Program (BCCHP) partners with clinics like Inclusive Aesthetics to provide free cervical cancer screenings to eligible adults*, including those who:

• Are uninsured or underinsured

• Have low income

• Are between the ages of 21 and 64

*If you don’t qualify for Washington Apple Health, you may still be eligible for free screening through this program.

Wellness Screenings at Inclusive Aesthetics

Inclusive Aesthetics offers wellness screenings as part of our broader commitment to patient-centered, inclusive care. Grace Grymes Chapman, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), leads care at Inclusive with a focus on education, prevention and evidence-based medicine. Every visit is designed to feel respectful, informed and supportive, especially for patients who may have felt overlooked or rushed in traditional medical settings.

Our approach is simple:

• Clear explanations in plain language

• Thoughtful, trauma-informed care

• Time to ask questions

• No pressure, just information and support

If you’re not sure whether you’re up to date with your screening, or want to talk through your options, we’re here to help.

Taking the Next Step

Cervical cancer screening protects your future health. If it’s been a while since your last screening, or if you’ve been putting it off due to cost, access or uncertainty, this month is a good reminder to take that next step. You deserve preventive care that feels safe, accessible and respectful. And Inclusive Aesthetics can help.

To learn more, schedule a wellness screening or contact us today.