Doctors urge cervical cancer screenings and HPV vaccination in Montgomery County

On the program En sintonía con el Consejo, Dr. Lourdes Perry and Carmen Lesama of Clínica Caseman urged women and families in Montgomery County to use screening and vaccination to prevent cervical cancer. Dr. Perry said cervical cancer "es un cáncer que se puede prevenir" and added emphatically, "no debería haber ninguna mujer que muera de cáncer de cuello de útero." The guests recommended routine Pap tests starting at age 21 and HPV vaccination for children before sexual activity, preferably at ages 11–12.

Dr. Perry and clinic staff explained screening logistics and follow-up care: Pap cytology detects abnormal cervical cells, HPV testing identifies viral infection, and positive findings lead to closer monitoring or procedures to remove precancerous tissue. The program cited on-air figures — about 14,500 cervical cancer cases yearly with roughly 4,500 deaths — and noted that Latinas were described on air as having an approximately "36% adicional" higher risk. Guests connected those disparities to access barriers (insurance, language, and service continuity) and recommended families schedule screenings and vaccine appointments through community clinics. "Vacunen a sus niños" was a repeated on-air appeal.

Clínica Caseman described services tailored to uninsured and underinsured patients, multilingual staff (Spanish, Portuguese, Tagalog, and other languages), and assistance with privacy and financial help. The clinic provided an on-air address and phone number for appointments as stated during the broadcast (address and contact information were read on air). The hosts closed the segment by inviting listeners to follow up and previewed an upcoming program on breast cancer awareness.