Knox County Tennessee

January is Cervical Health Awareness Month

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Cervical cancer affects more than 11,000 women in the U.S. each year. It is highly preventable with regular screenings and appropriate follow-up medical care. Also, vaccines are available that can help prevent cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer is almost always caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), a virus that affects about 1 in 4 people in the U.S. Because most people never develop noticeable symptoms, HPV infection often goes undetected and can be spread to others through intimate sexual contact. For some, it can lead to health problems such as genital warts and cancer.

Cervical cancer used to be the leading cause of cancer death for women in the U.S. However, the number of cases of and the number of deaths from cervical cancer have decreased significantly in the past several decades due, in large part, to more women getting regular pap tests that can find cervical pre-cancer before it turns into cancer.

Two tests can help prevent cervical cancer or find it early:

1) The Pap test (or Pap smear) looks for pre-cancers, which are cell changes on the cervix that might become cervical cancer if they are not treated appropriately;

2) The HPV test looks for the virus that can cause these cell changes.

Talk to your health care provider to find out if either test is right for you. Don’t have insurance? Our Women’s Health Clinic may be able to help.

You can also protect yourself or a loved one by learning more about the HPV vaccine. Vaccines are recommended for all preteen boys and girls. Learn more about HPV and the vaccine. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist about vaccinating your sons and daughters against HPV. The HPV vaccine is also available at the Knox County Health Department. Please call 865-215-5070 for more information.

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Knox County Tennessee - Health Department

Main Clinic
140 Dameron Ave,
Knoxville, TN 37917
865-215-5000

Hours:
Monday - Friday
8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Please Note:

On the first Wednesday of every month, all KCHD offices and clinics are closed in the morning for staff in-service. On these days, the main location (140 Dameron Ave.) will open at 11 a.m. and the West Clinic (1028 Old Cedar Bluff) will open at 11:30 a.m.
Clinics will also open at 10 a.m. (Main location), and 10:30 a.m. (West Clinic) on the following Wednesdays:
  • October 18, 2023
  • January 17, 2024
  • April 17,2024
  • July 17, 2024

*All other offices will open at 8 a.m.

Infant and childhood immunizations as well as adult vaccines by appointment ONLY. Please call 865-215-5950.

1028 Old Cedar Bluff
Knoxville, TN 37923
865-215-5950

Hours:
Monday - Friday
8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Clinics will also open at 10 a.m. (Main location), and 10:30 a.m. (West Clinic) on the following Wednesdays:
  • January 18
  • April 19
  • July 19
  • September 20

Map Of All Clinics
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