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CONTACT: Stephanie Marquis, (608) 266-1683
EARLY CERVICAL CANCER DETECTION SAVES LIVES
January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month
MADISON—State officials are marking Cervical Cancer Awareness Month
today by encouraging women to receive a "Pap" screening test
because early screening can help improve cervical cancer survival. A
"Pap" exam can detect cervical abnormalities at an early,
treatable stage before they develop into cancer. Also, women between the
ages of 11 and 26 may want to discuss the human papillomavirus (HPV)
vaccine with their health care provider since the vaccine helps prevent
the disease which causes most cervical cancer.
"We encourage all women to talk with their health care providers
about Pap testing since early detection may save their life," said
Department of Health Services Secretary Karen Timberlake. "Encourage
your grandmothers, mothers, sisters, aunts, and women friends to get a
regular Pap test. Cervical cancer is treatable and curable if found at an
early stage."
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cervical
cancer was once a leading cause of cancer death for women in the United
States. During the past 40 years, however, the Pap test has helped reduce
both the number of women developing cervical cancer and the number dying
from it. Unfortunately, a Department of Health Services report, Wisconsin
Cancer Incidence and Mortality, 2000-2004, shows that only 52 percent of
all cervical cancers in Wisconsin were diagnosed at an early stage, which
suggests that many women are not getting regular screening for this
largely preventable and treatable disease.
The Department's Wisconsin Well Woman Program (WWWP) offers cervical
cancer screening tests to eligible, uninsured, low-income women aged
45-64. This statewide network provides outreach to educate women about
advances in cervical cancer prevention and the importance of regular
cancer screening tests. Coordinating agencies located in each county link
women to covered WWWP services within its network of healthcare providers.
If a woman tested at a WWWP site is found to have cervical cancer, she may
be eligible for the Well Woman Medicaid treatment component to pay for
cancer treatment.
Secretary Timberlake noted that in 2007, the Wisconsin Well Woman
Program provided some 6,100 Pap tests to eligible women. This year, the
program's statewide network is reaching out to find women who have never
or rarely been screened for cervical cancer, and to spread the message
that regular Pap test screening is key to early detection and increased
survival. "Many women lack health insurance to cover a regular Pap
test. The Well Woman Program provides a vital safety net to help fill the
gap for uninsured women," Timberlake said.
In addition, the Food and Drug Administration approved a vaccine in
2006 that prevents the four types of human papillomavirus (HPV) that cause
most cervical cancers and genital warts. HPV is a sexually transmitted
virus, so ideally females should receive the vaccine before becoming
sexually active. The vaccine is recommended for 11 and 12 year-old girls.
It is also recommended for girls and women age 13 through 26 who have not
yet been vaccinated or completed the vaccine series.
While studies suggest the vaccine provides long-lasting protection, the
exact length of the vaccine protection against HPV is unknown. Therefore,
it is important that even vaccinated individuals continue to see health
care providers for continued Pap screening.
For more information, go to:
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