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| WIG Midwestern Regional Director, Rep. Patti Bellock, and WIG President, Mary Brooks Beatty, pictured at the Fourth Annual European Cervical Cancer Association/Politicians for Cervical Cancer Prevention Cervical Cancer Summit Meeting for Politicians with Health Policy Responsibilities, held January 24-30, 2010 in Brussels, Belgium. |
Washington, DC – January 14, 2010 – January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. Women In Government encourages state legislators to address cervical cancer prevention by increasing access to the most advanced screening and preventive technologies, particularly for underserved women, and increasing awareness about HPV and cervical cancer.
“Cervical cancer is the second leading cancer in women worldwide, but it is almost always preventable. With regular screenings and follow-up, cervical cancer is one of the easiest cancers to prevent,” said Mary Brooks Beatty, President of Women In Government.
Women In Government’s fight against cervical cancer began in 2004 when the organization launched the Challenge to Eliminate Cervical Cancer Campaign. The Campaign engages state legislators nationwide in policy and awareness initiatives to advance cervical cancer prevention efforts. In the course of six years, all 50 states have introduced and enacted legislation aimed at the elimination of cervical cancer, from creating cervical cancer prevention task forces, to enhancing access to screenings and vaccines, to initiating public education campaigns and mobilizing efforts to reach underserved populations.
Unfortunately, cervical cancer still remains the second leading cause of cancer death in women, with almost a quarter-million deaths occurring each year. The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimated that in 2009, more than 11,200 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer in the United States. Additionally, cervical cancer occurs most often in Hispanic women, at a rate that is more than twice the rate for non-Hispanic Caucasian women. African-American women develop this cancer about 50 percent more often than non-Hispanic Caucasian women.
“In recognition of Cervical Cancer Awareness Month,” stated Mary Brooks Beatty, “Women In Government encourages all state legislators to continue working collaboratively within their communities and legislatures to support cervical cancer screening, vaccination, and treatment programs.”
Women In Government develops and updates annual policy recommendations to help guide legislators in the continued fight against cervical cancer, paying particular attention to gaps in current policy, and the need to address the availability of new technologies.
In 2009, Women in Government joined in partnership with the European Cervical Cancer’s (ECCA) Pearl of Wisdom Campaign, and in recognition of our efforts in the states, ECCA has invited Representative Patti Bellock (IL) to keynote at their Cervical Cancer Summit in Brussels, on January 26, 2010. Women In Government is proud to be able to contribute to the Pearl of Wisdom Campaign and looks forward to sharing information with ECCA.
About Cervical Cancer
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 20 million people are currently infected with the human papilloma virus (HPV), which is also a main cause of cervical cancer. At least half of all sexually active people will have HPV at some point in their lives. For 90 percent of infected women, the virus is naturally cleared by the body and becomes undetectable within two years. However, persistent infection with “high-risk” types of HPV can cause cell changes that, if left untreated, can lead to cervical cancer.
Rates of cervical cancer can be reduced by focusing on screening and prevention through: HPV vaccinations; regular screenings, including the Pap test; and follow-up with a doctor if test results are abnormal.
About Women In Government
Women In Government is a national, non-profit, bi-partisan organization of women state legislators providing leadership opportunities, networking, expert forums, and educational resources to address and resolve complex public policy issues.
For more information, please contact, Libby Derting, Director of Policy and Programs, at lderting@womeningovernment.org or 202-333-0825 ext. 248.
