Department of Health Recognizes January As Cervical Health Awareness Month
Posted on: Friday, 2 January 2009, 10:01 CST
"Every January as we begin a new year, we want to remind all Pennsylvanians to do what they can to improve their overall health," said James. "This month, as we observe National Cervical Cancer Month, I want to remind our mothers, sisters, daughters and friends that yearly examinations are the best way to prevent cervical cancer.
"Every year in this state, more than 500 women are diagnosed with this disease. Thousands more do not know their status and go untreated. When found and treated early, this disease is curable."
One of the main causes of cervical cancer is the Human Papillomavirus, or HPV. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least half of sexually active women will have HPV at some point in their lives, but this does not mean that they will get cervical cancer. Talk with your doctor, nurse or other health care professional about whether the HPV test is right for you.
Cervical cancer occurs most often in women over age 30. Six out of 10 cervical cancers occur in women who have never received a pap test or have not been tested in the past five years. In 2006, there were 196 cervical cancer deaths among
The Pennsylvania Department of Health's HealthyWoman Program provides free breast and cervical cancer screening services, including free mammograms and Pap tests, for women between the ages of 40 and 64, who are uninsured or underinsured, and of low to moderate income.
For more information about these services, call 1-800-215-7494. For more information about cervical cancer, visit www.health.state.pa.us.
CONTACT:
(717) 787-1783
SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Health
Source: PR Newswire
Related Articles
- Landmark Study in The New England Journal of Medicine Shows HPV Testing Significantly Reduces Deaths from Cervical Cancer, Compared to other Methods Including Pap
- New Local TV Ad Campaign To Educate St. Louis Women About Cervical Cancer Prevention and HPV Testing
- Olivia's ``Cruise for Our Cause'' Sails During Women's History Month to Support Women's Health Education Research
- Independence Blue Cross Delivers Important Reminder to Women During Cervical Cancer Awareness Month
- Spanish Medical Societies Issue First European National Consensus Guidelines Recommending HPV DNA Testing for Cervical Cancer Screening
- Cervical Cancer Awareness Drive Begins: Pap Smears Still Best Defense in Battling Disease
- Experimental Cervical Cancer Vaccine Shows Promise
- We're Living Proof There is Life After Cancer; Women Tell How They Beat Terrifying Disease
- Screenings to Focus on Women's Health; Aim to Prevent Heart Disease, Cancer
- Vaccine 'Will Wipe Out' Cervical Cancer
 |
 |
User Comments (0)
RSS Feeds