January is Cervical Health Awareness Month. It's a time to raise awareness about a cancer diagnosis that more than 13,000 U.S. women get each year. With the help of vaccines and screenings, it's one of the most preventable and treatable cancers today. What is Cervical Cancer? Cervical cancer starts in the cells of the cervix. Gradually over time, the normal cells in the cervix develop abnormal changes that can turn into cancer. Although cervical cancers start from abnormal cells, only some women with these changes develop cancer. Most abnormal cells go away on their own without treatment. | 
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The two main types of cervical cancer are squamous cell carcinoma, which makes up 90% of diagnoses, and adenocarcinoma. The type of cancer a person has depends on where the cancer cells develop around the cervix.
Cervical Cancer Prevention
- Your TRS health plan covers three preventive services for women, including the pap test, human papillomavirus (HPV) test and a pelvic exam. Each looks for abnormal cells before they turn into cancer.
- Pap test—It's recommended for women ages 21 and older, every three years. Your doctor will collect cells and mucus from your cervix and surrounding areas. They'll send the samples to a lab for review by a pathologist to see if your results are normal or abnormal. Abnormal doesn't necessarily mean you have cervical cancer, so be sure to talk with your doctor about next steps.
- HPV test—It's recommended for women ages 30 or older and can happen at the same time as a Pap test. HPV is the leading cause of cervical cancer in the U.S., and there are many different types. Like the Pap test, your doctor will collect cells to test for HPV. Doctors may not always check for HPV, so ask your doctor at your next well-woman exam what's best for you.
- Pelvic exam—This is to check for signs of disease in the pelvic area. Doctors use pelvic exams to check your cervix, fallopian tubes, ovaries, rectum, uterus and vulva. This exam checks different things than Pap and HPV tests and can happen separately or at the same time.
This option has less detailed data for employers who don't obtain the Protected Health Information certification. This means data will not tie to individuals but show in general sums.
It also won't include high-cost claimant specific reporting. Any rows with claims or enrollment information that could identify individuals will be blinded using de-identification rules developed by a HIPAA expert.
Based on prior requests from participating entities, particularly smaller entities, information in this de-identified format may have limitations in obtaining quotes. To receive this data, employers must:
- Login to the TRS reporting employer portal and download the data request packet;
- Complete the De-identified Health Information Request Form;
- This information should be provided to the contact identified on the forms in the portal
- Execute an agreement with the TRS designated entity to receive the data. See instructions on forms in reporting employer portal for this agreement
The form will be available on the RE portal on Aug. 15, 2021. For issues logging into the RE portal, or to request the form before that date, please contact healthcarecomm@trs.texas.gov.
Cervical Cancer Risk Factors
Several factors can boost a woman's risk for cervical cancer.
- HPV (Human Papillomavirus)—Women carrying HPV have a higher risk for developing cervical cancer. HPV infections are spread through sexual contact. Not everyone with HPV is harmed by the virus. A strong immune system can fight it off. Only a very small portion of women with HPV develop cervical cancer.
- Weak immune system—Immunosuppression increases the risk that HPV leads to cervical cancer. When the immune system is weak, it's hard for the body to fight infections like HPV and other diseases.
- DES exposure—Diethylstilbestrol is a synthetic form of the estrogen hormone. The drug was prescribed to women to prevent pregnancy complications between 1940 and 1971. DES was later linked to cancer of the cervix in a small group of women. While the drug is no longer prescribed, the daughters of women exposed from 1940 to 1971 have an increased risk of developing a rare form of cancer.
We encourage you to learn more about cervical cancer and help take steps to eliminate this preventable cancer. Check out the National Cervical Cancer Coalition to get involved and learn more. Early detection screenings are key to helping you stay healthy.
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For the most up-to-date information on network providers, visit retiree.uhc.com/TRS-CareMA or call the UnitedHealthcare Customer Service number on your member ID card.
With the TRS-Care Medicare Advantage plan, you have the flexibility to see providers inside or outside the UnitedHealthcare network. If you see a provider outside of the network, make sure that provider accepts Medicare and agrees to bill UnitedHealthcare. Even though TRS-Care Medicare Advantage doesn't require you to have a primary care provider, it's important to have one.