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)

Cervical Cancer Prevention Works (CCPW) is the name of CLUW's cervical cancer awareness project. The project's mission is to empower union women by providing them with information on how to prevent this deadly disease. CLUW's CCPW is funded by Qiagen, one of the companies which makes an FDA-approved test for HPV (the virus that causes 96 percent of cervical cancer cases).

For further information, contact:
Carolyn J. Jacobson, Director, Cervical Cancer Prevention Works
202.508.6901
cjacobson@cluw.org

HPV vaccines are now available for girls and women ages 9-26. Although the vaccines will help prevent many HPV infections, screening will still be needed to prevent cervical cancer.
See: HPV Vaccine:  What You Need to Know

View CDC podcast to help find out more about the two HPV vaccines that are available and why boys should consider getting the vaccine.

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.

Protect yourself against cervical cancer!

• Age 9-26:
  Ask your provider about the HPV vaccine
• By age 21:
  Get a Pap test
• Age 30 and up:
  Ask your provider for an HPV test along with your Pap

• Cervical cancer is one of the few types of cancers that can be prevented through vaccination and regular screening
• Your health care provider can determine if you have harmful cell changes in your cervix that can be treated before they develop into cervical cancer
• Find out if you carry the virus that puts you at increased risk of developing cervical cancer