“For the health of everyone with a cervix, the Pap test should be a part of a routine wellness screening regardless of gender or sexual orientation.

For me, this is so so so very important because I was diagnosed with HPV as a teenager and luckily for me, I was diagnosed with one of the MANY different types that go away on their own after a Pap test and cervical biopsy.

…if it weren’t for the Pap test I had as a teenager, I could’ve potentially gone through my life without even being aware of the virus I had. I also feel that it’s so important to make Pap tests available to everyone regardless of their insurance status, sexual orientation… etc. because a Pap potentially saved my life. It can save yours too.”

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It wasn’t that long ago that cervical cancer was the deadliest form of cancer for individuals with a cervix. But with the widespread use of Pap tests, cervical cancer has gone from the number one cancer killer of individuals with a cervix to number 14. That’s a drastic difference. But for many in the LGBTQIA+ community, there could be confusion, nervousness, and misinformation around navigating this experience. This coupled with proposed changes to the guidelines that could eliminate the Pap, has the potential to leave thousands of people vulnerable to incomplete testing. We can’t let that happen! For the health of everyone with a cervix, the Pap test should be a part of a routine wellness screening regardless of gender or sexual orientation. For me, this is so so so very important because I was diagnosed with HPV as a teenager and luckily for me, I was diagnosed with one of the MANY different types that go away on their own after a Pap test and cervical biopsy. But at that time, I was on my mothers health insurance and was easily covered and taken care of and was treated with respect. But unfortunately that's not the case for everyone. I believe it's important for everyone to have access to and advocate for the Pap test because if it weren't for the Pap test I had as a teenager, I could've potentially gone through my life without even being aware of the virus I had. I also feel that it's so important to make Pap tests available to everyone regardless of their insurance status, sexual orientation… etc. because a Pap potentially saved my life. It can save yours too. Being a woman with PCOS, taking control of my health and wellness has been my top priority for the last 5 years. Not only is it because of a positive experience at my OB/GYN but because I know that it's important for my vaginal hygiene care as well as my entire body. I know that not a lot of people have access to what I have access to regarding healthcare but I also know that it could better. But seeing campaigns like this one, empowers me to speak about my health more while hoping to reach someone else. Paid for by Protect the Pap. #ProtectThePap #nomorehiding #loveyourself #bodyhairdontcare

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