Machinists Union spreads the word
that cervical cancer is preventable

• IAM video report of January 2010 cervical cancer event on Capitol Hill
• IAM video report from October 2009 CLUW Convention about the Pearls of Wisdom campaign

Preventing Cervical Cancer: What you need to know

The Coalition of Labor Union Women participated in a July 14, 2009 briefing on cervical cancer prevention, the second of two events focusing on sexually transmitted infections hosted by the National Council of Women’s Organizations (NCWO), the American Social Health Association, and the National Partnership for Women and Families. Funded by a grant from HHS, Office of Women's Health, the briefings' primary audience was NCWO member organizations (CLUW being one) — particularly those able to get this information out to young women of color.

The event was moderated by Marilyn Keefe of the National Partnership for Women & Families, and Carolyn Jacobson, Director of Cervical Cancer Prevention Works, Coalition of Labor Union.

LISTEN TO THE ENTIRE PROGRAM

Download the following speakers' slide presentations:

• Beth Huff, MSN, FNP-BC, Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Colposcopy Clinic Coordinator
  "Preventing Cervical Cancer: What you need to know" (pdf)
• Maria Trent, MD, Assistant Professor at the Johns Hopkins Department of Pediatrics
  "HPV and Adolescent Girls & Young Adult Women: Prevention is Key" (pdf)
• John Schiller, Ph.D., Head, Neoplastic Disease Section, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health
  "An Update on HPV Vaccines" (pdf)

CLUW and its Cervical Cancer Prevention Works project is joining the National Council of Women’s Organizations' (NCWO) new campaign to help older women understand that cervical cancer can affect them and that they may benefit from the same advanced screening technologies as younger women. The Note to Older Women: Ask About Cervical Cancer Screening, Ask About HPV Testing campaign is an online effort that encourages all women to tell the older women in their lives what they need to know. CLUW is an affiliate of NCWO.

Visit the Note to Older Women: Ask About Cervical Cancer Screening, Ask About HPV Testing campaign website to learn more and get involved. Here’s what you can do:

>>  Send an e-postcard (shown at right) to the older women in your lives and to your friends and colleagues so they can share it with the older women in their lives.

>>  Post the campaign button (shown above) on your Facebook or other personal web page so others can learn about the campaign and get involved.

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CLUW's commitment
to eliminating cervical cancer

In April 2003, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new screening test to help determine which women age 30 and over are at a higher risk of developing cervical cancer. This screening method uses a DNA test to detect human papillomavirus (HPV), one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases, in combination with a Pap test. The DNA test identifies the 13 types of HPV most commonly associated with cervical cancer.

At its March 2003 National Executive Board meeting, CLUW adopted a resolution of support of FDA approval of annual HPV screening for all women 30 and over. CLUW urges all unions to:

• Cover all FDA-approved HPV testing, as recommended by the American Cancer Society.
• Cover annual office visits with obstetrician or gynecologist for counseling on contraception, sexually transmitted infections, breast and other cancer screening, and, as deemed appropriate by the clinician, cervical cancer screening.
• Protect patient confidentiality.

In addition to its own new cervical cancer awareness program -- Cervical Cancer Prevention Works -- CLUW is actively working with public education programs to get this information out.