Though it is an important issue to think about all year, January is officially
Cervical Health Awareness Month. A grassroots nonprofit organization,
National Cervical Cancer Coalition (NCCC), is urging women to take action and protect themselves in the new year.
How serious is cervical cancer? Well, just look at the statistics from the NCCC website. They report that approximately
10,000 American women will learn they have cervical cancer/HPV this year, and almost
4,000 will die from an advanced form of the disease.
The
NCCC urges women to think about their health in the new year and contact their health care providers to set up a routine Pap test. The NCCC reports that 1
1% of U.S. women do not have the Pap test screening.
The Pap test is an
effective tool to detect the possibility of cervical cancer, especially when given regularly. Cervical cancer is a
very treatable form of cancer when caught in the early stages. To raise awareness about cervical health, the NCCC sets up free cancer screening tests in January at various health care facilities around the country.
The coalition has also set up a “
Phone-Pal” and “
E-Pal” program for cervical cancer survivors and patients. The organization helps to match one survivor with another and allow them to correspond via email or phone. If you are interested in becoming a “Phone-Pal” or “E-Pal” you can visit
http://www.nccc-online.org/community/pals.html to fill out a short request form.
Do you get screened regularly for cervical cancer?
Will you be urging your loved ones to make an appointment to get the Pap test this January?
I think that the first of the year is a great time to have a pap done. Then you always remember when your last one was done and you dont have to worry about it the rest of the year. I am 32 years old. I have had cervical cancer removed twice. So I make sure that I get my done within the first 2 weeks of January each year. Then I am finished for the whole year and dont have to worry about it. I am done until 2009!!!
kareanderson::
on Jan 17, 2008
The "big" new move is not as powerful for women (and all other consumers) as the SheSpeaks community, methinks
http://adage.com/madisonandvine/article.php?article_id=123153
Scootie::
on Jan 17, 2008
After having a friend who was diagnosed, I make sure I have my exams. That's a scary thing to go through!
dpackup::
on Jan 20, 2008
It is so wonderful now that my daughter can get a vaccine that can help prevent this. I did not have that option and am too old now to get it.
The new vaccine helps prevent you from getting the virus that can make cervical cancer more probable.
I make sure to get my pap every year without fail. I take one day off and try to schedule all my "woman" exams!
pink_girl88::
on Jan 23, 2008
i make sure to get my exam every year. The majority of the women in my family have had cancer so i always get checked.
libby1260::
on Jan 23, 2008
I have been getting my yearly pap and I think it is important that women have done every year.
CourtneySchoessow::
on Jan 23, 2008
This website http://fcs.tamu.edu/health/h2h/cervicalcare/pap.php is a great resource that tells women, especially African-American women about getting breast and cervical exams. Did you know that African-American women get breast and cervical less often but are dying at an increased rate! Let's tell others and save lives!
laceyk::
on Jan 24, 2008
I am now 27 years ago, and I had cervical cancer surgically removed about a year ago. It is very important to get your yearly paps, and if it comes back abnorman DO NOT ignore it!
soonermissy::
on Jan 24, 2008
I am 32 years old and I always have my yearly pap. You can never be too careful. Luckily every one of them have came back normal. Thank God.
felicia1960::
on Jan 25, 2008
I have it yearly too, but don't forget the mammomgram
