ASHA Recognizes Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

RTP, NC | January 1, 2007

The American Cancer Society estimates that each year in the U.S. there are approximately 10,000 cases of cervical cancer, resulting in nearly 4,000 deaths. These numbers are especially tragic given that cervical cancer can virtually always be prevented through screening (such as Pap tests, either alone or in combination with HPV tests). 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 to recently developed HPV vaccines

2006 was a breakthrough year in the fight against cervical cancer, as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first vaccine against the disease, Merck and Company's Gardasil ®. GlaxoSmithKline is also expected to submit a cervical cancer vaccine, Cervarix ™, to the FDA for approval in 2007.

Cervical cancer is most often detected among women who have either never had a Pap 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 "Cervical cancer is most often detected among women who have either never had a Pap 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 "Science has put us in a remarkable position to protect women from cervical cancer, but technology is only half the battle. Cervical cancer is preventable, treatable, and curable. Vaccines, Pap tests and HPV tests are a remarkable life-saving trio. No woman has to die from cervical cancer."

ASHA's National HPV & Cervical Cancer Prevention Resource Center addresses these challenges by offering numerous programs that include national advocacy, hotline services, publications, and support groups. The Center was created in 2000 to address the multiple issues.

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.