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Given that cervical cancer is almost always preventable, officials are working to eliminate the disease.
Members of Women In Government, a bipartisan, nonprofit association of elected women state officials, have introduced bills or resolutions to improve cervical cancer prevention efforts in 42 states.
A recent Women In Government report on states' prevention efforts shows that all states need improvement in this area. The report looked at current data on cervical cancer rates, women's access to screening using the most up-to-date technology and the legislative priority being put on the issue.
"Our objective is to ensure that all women have access to cervical cancer education and screening programs that utilize the most advanced and appropriate technologies available," said Susan Crosby, executive director of Women In Government.
Some of the measures introduced by Women In Government members call for the creation of task forces to bring new expertise and technologies to the fight against cervical cancer. Others require insurance coverage for all women for advanced screening technologies.
Cervical cancer rates have decreased significantly over the past 60 years due to widespread use of the Pap test. Still, the American Cancer Society estimates that 10,370 new cases will be diagnosed this year and more than 3,700 women will die from the disease. Studies show that the Pap test's ability to detect the early signs of cervical cancer ranges from 51 percent to 85 percent.
"We now know that a virus called human papillomavirus, or HPV, causes cervical cancer and new technologies such as HPV tests can enable better prevention," said Dr. Marie Savard, a nationally known internist and patient advocate.
Testing for HPV at the same time as a Pap test in women age 30 and older increases the accuracy to almost 100 percent.
To learn more about Women In Government's "Challenge to Eliminate Cervical Cancer Campaign," log on to www.womenin government.org/prevention. -NU |
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