Starting August of 2012, Fresno State students will be able to receive Pap exams without having to pay a co-payment. Currently, this service is offered for free only to those who meet the requirements of the PACT (Planning, Access, Care, Treatment) program.

According to the American College of obstetricians and gynecologists, “Women should get one at the age of 21 unless the woman had a previous abnormal screening. Women in their 20s should have an exam every two years if their previous ones were normal.”

A Pap exam, or sometimes called a Pap smear, examines cells collected from the cervix for cancerous cells or abnormal cells that may lead to cancer. A Pap exam also checks for infections and is the best way to prevent cervical cancer.

For young college women, sexual health becomes an important issue when students become sexually active and the Health Center on campus offers sexual health services. Young women can also find sexual health services by visiting the local Planned Parenthood health center. Services such as contraceptives and STD testing can be available to those who qualify.

One way is through the Family PACT program. This program is offered at both locations, and offers free general and sexual health services to low-income men and women and to people who are uninsured.

Fresno State’s Student Health Center has been a part of the PACT program since the spring of 2009 and offers family planning services as well as information and awareness about sexual health. Students seeking information on sexual health and services can come into the health center and, depending if they’re eligible, can enroll in the PACT program.

A young college woman may fall under this category since the program looks solely at her insurance and income individually and doesn’t include her parents. Unless the individual has a spouse or children, she may be eligible.

Once enrolled, students have access to the Family PACT Peer Health Education Program (PHE). PHE program selects and trains students on every aspect of sexual health. Students who want to help their peers and become part of the program can be of any major and train throughout the school year. The health center finds that students feel more comfortable when they talk to other students.

Kathy Yarmo, the coordinator for Health Promotion and Wellness Services, promotes the importance of sexual health and lets students know about what is offered to them at the health center.

She comments that all conversations are confidential. “It’s someone’s prerogative to have their confidentiality met,” Yarmo said.

At Planned Parenthood, the same services are offered to young women and men including birth control, STD testing and annual exams such as breast exams and cervical cancer screenings like Pap exams and pelvic exams.

“We work to promote and improve reproductive health and to ensure patients get quality health care,”­ Pedro Elias, the director of public affairs for Planned Parenthood for the Madera and Kern Counties said.