Womens Interests

Young Women Unaware How to Avoid Cancer Down There

Young women still don"t understand the importance of cervical cancer screening, a recent report indicates. Various health advocates are taking steps to combat this lack of awareness during Cervical Health Awareness Month. Page 2 of 2Various Efforts to Educate The Gynecologic Cancer Foundation is one of several women"s health organizations working to educate the general public about the disease. Its national campaign, funded by HPV vaccine manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline, is using spokeswoman and actress Mandy Moore to inspire young women to talk to their doctors about cervical health. The Pearl of Wisdom Campaign to Prevent Cervical Cancer, led by the Upper Marlboro, Md.-based nonprofit Tamika and Friends, in collaboration with 21 national partners, aims to recruit more than 4,000 women to take the "Pearl Pledge." Participation requires that each woman schedule her annual exam, ask five friends to sign up and wear a Pearl of Wisdom pin to support cervical cancer prevention. The National Cervical Cancer Coalition organizes the nation"s annual Free Pap Test Day, held on the second Friday of January. Women who have not had a Pap test within the past three years can call participating gynecologists to schedule a free appointment. The coalition also provides Web information on how you can raise awareness about HPV and cervical cancer. These campaigns all have one common message: no one should die from cervical cancer. Young girls should get the HPV vaccine early, ideally at around 11 or 12 years old, before they become sexually active. Young healthy women should talk to their doctors about the newly revised cervical cancer screening guidelines. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists now recommends women begin getting Pap tests at age 21, with repeat screenings every one to two years until the age of 30. Older women may be screened every three years. Most importantly, young women should visit their gynecologist every year, regardless of whether they are being screened for cervical cancer. "A lot of girls go to their gynecologist as their primary doctor for sexual health, STDs, family planning, even general concerns," said Debbie Saslow, director of breast and gynecologic cancers for the American Cancer Society. "Even if it is too soon to get a Pap test, girls need to go see a gynecologist." Lauren Browne is a freelance medical journalist based in New York City. She is currently completing both a journalism degree at Columbia University and a medical degree at Duke University. For more information: National Cervical Cancer Coalition: http://www.nccc-online.org The Gynecologic Cancer Foundation: http://thegcf.org National Cervical Cancer Public Education Campaign: http://www.cervicalcancercampaign.org Pearl of Wisdom Campaign: http://www.pearlofwisdom.us * First * Previous *1 *2

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