By: Tracie Carter
Young women in Newark have an opportunity this month to take a proactive step toward protecting their health as Rutgers New Jersey Medical School launches a free cervical cancer screening initiative.
The program, known as “31 Paps in 31 Days,” is being offered in recognition of National Cervical Cancer Awareness Month and provides free Pap smear screenings for women ages 21 to 29.
The effort is led by the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, and is designed to expand access to essential sexual and reproductive health services.
In addition to Pap smears, participants will also have access to free HIV testing, STI screening, pregnancy testing, family planning counseling, and PrEP services.
The screenings will be available from January 1 through January 31, 2026, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School’s Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, located at 90 Bergen Street, Suite 4400, in Newark.
Health officials encourage young women to take advantage of the program, noting that early detection of cervical changes can prevent serious illness later on.