January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month! The purpose of Cervical Cancer Awareness Month is to not only educate women about cervical health, but the power of prevention! Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women. Each year, there are nearly 34,000 women that are diagnosed with it. HPV (human papillomavirus), the most common sexually transmitted infection, is often the cause of cervical cancer as well as other types of cancers, including vulvar and vaginal cancer. 80% of women will get affected by at least one type of HPV at some point in their life. There are nearly 80 million Americans that are currently infected with HPV. Most of these people are unaware that they have HPV since they usually don’t experience any noticeable symptoms.

In 1958, my paternal grandmother’s life was cut short due to cervical cancer at the age of 45 years old. Thankfully, cervical cancer detection has come a long way since her death! This is why I encourage women of all walks of life to get tested when they feel something is amiss within their body since early detection can help save lives. While not all strains of HPV causes cancer, getting tested for HPV is the only way you’re going to truly know the status of your health. This is a basic right that everyone deserves – without the judgement. Your health is well worth it.

Did you know that you can check your risk of cervical cancer in the privacy of your home? Thanks to Nurx’s Home HPV Screening Test, I don’t have to wait months for an appointment to see my gynecologist when I feel like there’s something amiss. Instead, I can take the initiative and take charge of my health. It’s quick, simple, and affordable ($15 with insurance and $69 without insurance).

This home screening test works as just as good as a pap smear! Nurx’s Home HPV Screening Test will check for 14 strains of HPV that have a higher risk of leading to cervical cancer. Their mission is make this home screening test convenient for anyone. Nurx’s primary focus is reaching to women who lack access to traditional healthcare services, whether they’re unable to afford health care or don’t have health insurance. This convenient option is also perfect for those who don’t live near a medical clinic, don’t get regular pap smears, or simply want to check their risk in-between pap smears.

Head over to Nurx.com or download the Nurx iOS mobile app. They’ll ask you few questions about your health and they’ll ship you a kit in discreet packaging straight to your door. The Nurx Home HPV Testing Kit comes with everything you need to collect a sample and send it back to their lab. Each kit comes with a pre-paid return envelope, instructions, a sticker with a barcode, an extra long swab, plastic bag, and tube. A medical provider will follow-up a week after the sample is received to review results.

“Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family.” – Kofi Annan