"Ask Mount Sinai: Protect Yourself From Cervical Cancer" - Sheila Dougherty
According to the American Cancer Society, cervical cancer was once one of the most common causes of cancer death among women in the United States. Increased screening via pap smears caused the number of deaths to drop dramatically. Valentin Kolev, MD, a gynecologic oncologist at the Blavatnik Family - Chelsea Medical Center at Mount Sinai, weighs in surround Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. "Cervical cancer is one of the most easily diagnosed and regularly screened types of gynecologic cancer. The primary prevention of cervical cancer is a vaccination against the high-risk HPV infection and having routine screening. Other ways to decrease the risk is by using barrier protection and spermicides with intercourse," said Dr. Kolev. "Screenings for cervical cancer should start at 21 years of age regardless of the age of initial sexual activity," added Dr. Kolev.
— Valentin Kolev, MD, Assistant Professor, Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Gynecologic Oncologist, The Blavatnik Family - Chelsea Medical Center at Mount Sinai
About the Mount Sinai Health System
Mount Sinai Health System is one of the largest academic medical systems in the New York metro area, with 48,000 employees working across seven hospitals, more than 400 outpatient practices, more than 600 research and clinical labs, a school of nursing, and a leading school of medicine and graduate education. Mount Sinai advances health for all people, everywhere, by taking on the most complex health care challenges of our time—discovering and applying new scientific learning and knowledge; developing safer, more effective treatments; educating the next generation of medical leaders and innovators; and supporting local communities by delivering high-quality care to all who need it.
Through the integration of its hospitals, labs, and schools, Mount Sinai offers comprehensive health care solutions from birth through geriatrics, leveraging innovative approaches such as artificial intelligence and informatics while keeping patients’ medical and emotional needs at the center of all treatment. The Health System includes approximately 9,000 primary and specialty care physicians and 10 free-standing joint-venture centers throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester, Long Island, and Florida. Hospitals within the System are consistently ranked by Newsweek’s® “The World’s Best Smart Hospitals, Best in State Hospitals, World Best Hospitals and Best Specialty Hospitals” and by U.S. News & World Report's® “Best Hospitals” and “Best Children’s Hospitals.” The Mount Sinai Hospital is on the U.S. News & World Report® “Best Hospitals” Honor Roll for 2025-2026.
For more information, visit https://www.mountsinai.org or find Mount Sinai on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube.
