FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 16th, 2007

Attn: Fred Wyand
P.O. Box 13827
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
(919) 361 - 3124 (voice)
(919) 361 - 8425 (fax)
mediarelations@ashastd.org

ASHA Recognizes January as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

The American Cancer Society estimates that each year in the U.S. there are approximately 11,000 cases of cervical cancer, resulting in nearly 3,700 deaths. These numbers are especially tragic given the availability of prevention tools such as HPV vaccines and screening tests that can detect cervical cancers early, when they can be treated and cured.

With this in mind the American Social Health Association (ASHA), along with a number of other public health organizations, recognizes January as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month and stresses the need for women to be educated about the disease and to have access to screening tests and , when recommended, HPV vaccines.

Cervical cancer is most often found among women who have either never had a Pap test (either alone or in combination with an HPV test), or have gone many years without one, and in the U.S. the disease disproportionately impacts poor women and women of color. ASHA President and CEO Lynn B. Barclay says its critical that life-saving prevention tools are available to those who need them most: "Science has put us in a remarkable position to protect women from cervical cancer, but technology is only half the battle," Barclay says. "We must continue working to get the proper messages to women about HPV and the importance of cervical cancer prevention, and to make sure policy makers understand how important it is for women to have access to screening tests and vaccines."

ASHA's National HPV & Cervical Cancer Prevention Resource Center addresses these challenges by offering numerous programs that include national advocacy, publications, and interactive HPV message boards that provide education and support. The Center was created in 2000 to address the multiple issues associated with HPV and cervical cancer prevention in the United States.

ASHA's publications include HPV NEWS, a bi-monthly electronic journal that provides information on cervical cancer prevention, genital warts, the latest on research, vaccines, and treatment information. Each issue of HPV NEWS also addresses the emotional and relationship aspects of being diagnosed with HPV, offering support and comfort through regular columns such as "Ask the Experts" and a "Personal Perspectives" section written by readers. A one-year subscription to HPV NEWS is just $25.00 and may be ordered online by clicking here.

Want to know more? Click Here to download ASHA's brochure, Ask How You Can Prevent Cervical Cancer. This new publication covers (in plain language) the basics about HPV, cervical cancer screening (Pap tests and HPV tests), and vaccines.