January: National Cervical Health Awareness Month
January 2, 2009 by blackgirlgrown
Filed under black women, health and wellness
Lisa Fayed, About.com’s Guide to Cancer Expert, writes on the importance of cervical health: This month marks the beginning of Cervical Health Awareness Month, a month dedicated to raising awareness about the prevention of cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is currently the second-leading cause of cancer death among women worldwide. The American Cancer Society estimated that over 9,000 women would be diagnosed with the disease in 2008 and over 3,000 would die from it in the U.S. alone. The good news is that most cases of cervical cancer can be prevented. From the Pap smear to the HPV vaccine, cervical cancer can be eradicated.
Unfortunately, African Americans are more likely overall to develop and die from cancer than any other racial or ethnic population according to the American Cancer Society. African Americans are more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage of cancer than whites. Cervical cancer is no different. A 2007 study showed that the mortality rate for black women with cervical cancer was nearly twice the rate or higher than for white women.
- Cervical cancer is highly preventable – screening and vaccination are key.
- Cervical cancer is almost always caused by a common virus – human papillomavirus (or “HPV”).
- Most women will have HPV, but few will develop cervical cancer.
- Only HPV infections that persists can lead to cancer.
- Every 2½ hours, a woman dies of cervical cancer in the United States, despite its being the only cancer with a single-known cause – HPV – which makes it virtually 100 percent preventable.
- A Pap test looks for cell changes on the cervix that might lead to cancer.
- Using an HPV test with a Pap test in women over 30 can better identify women at risk for cancer.
- An HPV vaccine that prevents 70% of cervical cancers is now available.
- Women should talk to their healthcare providers about the most advanced and appropriate technologies available for cervical cancer screening and immunization.
Continue reading for more information.
blackgirlgrown
