(Image from the GIAHC website)
...or any organization with a mission to raise awareness and funding for cervical health.
How much do you know about your body? Aside from that video in 4th grade, sex ed and biology class in high school and additional classes in college....
January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness month --> Learn the dangers of cervical cancer, available treatments and recommended screening. I turned to the National Cervical Cancer Coalition website for informative material on detection, prevention and treatment. They also have an online community to support others coping in various stages of the disease. Some of the many accomplishments of the NCCC have been the launch of the nation's first cervical cancer hotline, Free Pap Test Day in January, co-sponsor of medical and educational conferences, development of local state affiliates and more . . .
About two years ago I piggy-backed on my mother's annual cookie party to raise donations for the NCCC by selling handmade items. This is a great way to build awareness (and donations) and I hope this can become an annual fundraiser as well.
What can you and others do to raise awareness? Check out the NCCC and American Cancer Society websites for additional information to help put you on the path of enrichment :)
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Sharing with you some information found on the American Cancer Society's website regarding statistics of cervical cancer.
The American Cancer Society's most recent estimates for cervical cancer in the United States are for 2011:
Cervical cancer was once one of the most common causes of cancer death for American women. Then, between 1955 and 1992, the cervical cancer death rate declined by almost 70%. The main reason for this change was the increased use of the Pap test. This screening procedure can find changes in the cervix before cancer develops. It can also find cervical cancer early -- in its most curable stage. The death rate from cervical cancer continues to decline by nearly 3% each year.
Cervical cancer tends to occur in midlife. Most cases are found in women younger than 50. It rarely develops in women younger than 20. Many older women do not realize that the risk of developing cervical cancer is still present as they age. Almost 20% of women with cervical cancer are diagnosed when they are over 65. That is why it is important for older women to continue having regular Pap tests. See the section, "Can cervical cancer be prevented?" for more specific information on current American Cancer Society screening recommendations.
In the United States, cervical cancer occurs most often in Hispanic women; at a rate that is more than twice that seen in non-Hispanic white women. African-American women develop this cancer about 50% more often than non-Hispanic white women.
- About 12,710 new cases of invasive cervical cancer will be diagnosed.
- About 4,290 women will die from cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer was once one of the most common causes of cancer death for American women. Then, between 1955 and 1992, the cervical cancer death rate declined by almost 70%. The main reason for this change was the increased use of the Pap test. This screening procedure can find changes in the cervix before cancer develops. It can also find cervical cancer early -- in its most curable stage. The death rate from cervical cancer continues to decline by nearly 3% each year.
Cervical cancer tends to occur in midlife. Most cases are found in women younger than 50. It rarely develops in women younger than 20. Many older women do not realize that the risk of developing cervical cancer is still present as they age. Almost 20% of women with cervical cancer are diagnosed when they are over 65. That is why it is important for older women to continue having regular Pap tests. See the section, "Can cervical cancer be prevented?" for more specific information on current American Cancer Society screening recommendations.
In the United States, cervical cancer occurs most often in Hispanic women; at a rate that is more than twice that seen in non-Hispanic white women. African-American women develop this cancer about 50% more often than non-Hispanic white women.
