Take the pledge against cervical cancer

January: National Cervical Cancer Screening Awareness Month
Let’s kick off the year 2010 with the observance of the Cervical Cancer Screening Awareness Month. This is one big reason why we should look at updates and resources on cervical cancer today.

 Protect your cervix…take the Pledge…
Join the Pearl of Wisdom Campaign to Prevent Cervical Cancer and protect yourself from cervical cancer. Behind the campaign is a coalition of leading women’s health advocates that includes American Association Of University Women

• American Medical Women’s Association
• American Social Health Association
• Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance
• Association of Reproductive Health Professionals.
• National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health
• National Council of Women’s Organizations
• National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association
• National Association of Mothers’ Center
• And many more women’s groups.

How do you take the pledge? It akes 3 steps

Step 1: Schedule your annual gynecologic appointment.

Step 2: Tell 5 friends about your pledge.

Step 3: Wear your pearl, a symbol of your pledge

The goal of the campaign: 4,070 pledges till Mother’s Day on May 9, 2010. Why this figure? Because it is the number of women expected to die from cervical cancer this year.

 MD Anderson answers questions on HPV
A large number of cases of cervical cancer starts with HPV infection or genital warts. In a series of audio and videocasts, the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers  lots of info about HPV and the HPV vaccine. The series includes

• The HPV Vaccine: Advice for Parents
• Q&A: The HPV Vaccine
• Q&A: HPV Testing

ACOG revises cervical cancer screening guidelines
In November last year, the The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) released new guidelines which set the first cervical cancer screening age at 21, with less frequent follow ups. Women under 30 should have a Pap test every 2 years. From the 30^th year on and beyonn, the screening should be every 3 years. According to Dr. Alan G. Waxman, who developed the document for ACOG’s Committee on Practice Bulletins Gynecology:

“A review of the evidence to date shows that screening at less frequent intervals prevents cervical cancer just as well, has decreased costs, and avoids unnecessary interventions that could be harmful.”

Video: Tips for tying a headscarf

The doctor turned cancer survivor Laura Libermanonce wrote in her book I Signed as the Doctor: “Losing your hair can mean gaining hat.” It can also be a headscarf. In this video clip at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute site,  WCVB TV’s NewsCenter 5 reporter and breast cancer survivor shares her experience with other women on how to tie a headscarf to while recovering from the side effects of chemo.