TRICARE covers vaccine to prevent cervical cancer Published March 3, 2009 By Diane R. Mayer TriWest Health Alliance TRICARE -- A vaccine can save the lives of more than 11,000 women this year. That equals about 30 women a day in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. These women are diagnosed with cervical cancer; almost 4,000 will die from this frequently preventable disease. Human papillomavirus (HPV) has been found to be the number one cause of cervical cancer. However, there is an HPV vaccine. This TRICARE-covered benefit is available to protect against certain types of HPV viruses that have been linked to cervical cancer. The risk of developing cervical cancer can be greatly reduced by taking the following steps: 1. Get Regular Pap Tests Why get tested? Sixty percent of the cervical cancers currently diagnosed in the United States are in women who have never received a Pap test or who have not been tested in the past five years. Start testing within three years of becoming sexually active or at age 18, whichever comes first. 2. Obtain the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine The HPV vaccine can be given at the same time as other vaccines. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the vaccine be administered to females ages 11 to 26 years old, although girls as young as 9 may receive it. The vaccine does not protect against every type of HPV infection and cannot prevent all cervical cancers. It is still important to continue getting regular exams and Pap tests. Women interested in getting the HPV vaccine should contact their physician. For more information on TRICARE benefits and healthy living, visit www.triwest.com>Beneficiary Services>Healthy Living>Health & Wellness>Prevention. Or call 1-888-TRIWEST (874-9378).