Click here to listen to my Public Service Announcement
Turn on your TV or radio, open a magazine or watch the ads before a movie on the big screen today…they are flooded with messages from the HPV & Cervical Cancer “One Less” awareness campaign. For the first time ever, it’s possible to stop a cancer —cervical cancer, the number two cancer killer of women world wide! Cervical cancer robs women of their identity, fertility, intimate relationships and often their lives.
But this doesn’t have to be the case. Cervical cancer is nearly 100% PREVENTABLE and nearly 100% CURABLE if caught early. This is the first time in history that we know the cause — (HPV) of a cancer, have the tools available for early detection and a vaccine to prevent it!
So why are so many women suffering from this disease? The number one and two reasons are lack of education and screening.
THERE IS NO REASON ANOTHER WOMAN SHOULD SUFFER FROM THIS DISEASE, TOGETHER WE CAN DIG OUR HEELS IN AND STOMP OUT CERVICAL CANCER!
Who is affected?
- Women of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds. Although women in underserved communities and lower socioeconomic conditions are at greater risk, especially Hispanic and African American women.
What are the Statistical Facts?
- In 2007 nearly 500,000 women worldwide were diagnosed with cervical cancer, resulting in over 300,000 deaths
- Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women worldwide—only breast cancer accounts for more cancer deaths
- In the US alone 3.5 million women have abnormal pap smears annually, resulting in additional painful diagnostic procedures.
- In the US, approximately 11,000 women per year are diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer and 3,700 die. In addition, more than 50,000 cases of carcinoma in situ (a spot of cancer not yet invasive) are diagnosed annually.
- Here’s a sobering thought, every 2 minutes another woman dies from cervical cancer; a preventable disease!
What do you need to know?
- Cervical cancer is nearly 100% preventable
- Cervical cancer is nearly 100% curable if diagnosed in the early stages
- Cervical Cancer is caused by the HPV virus (70% of occurrences are caused by HPV 16 & 18; while 30% result from other HPV strains).
- 80% of sexually active women will have an HPV infection by the age of 50, often without any symptoms. For most women, your immune system will fight off the infection in 6 to 24 months. HPV is as common as a cold, so there is no need to be embarrassed or ashamed
- The Pap Test is a screening tool, used to discover cervical cell changes
- Women over 30, it is recommended The HPV Test be combined with the Pap Test
- Another woman doesn’t have to die or lose her fertility to this disease; with education and proper regular screening we can stop this cancer!
Learn the Facts, Do Your Own Research, Ask the Difficult and Uncomfortable Question, and Tell Someone, Anyone You Know…You Can Make a Difference!
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