For Release: IMMEDIATE
Date: January 10, 2006

Cervical Cancer:

The Best Protection is Early Detection

RALEIGH—Last year, approximately 370 North Carolina women were diagnosed with cervical cancer and 130—most of them women over 45—died of the disease. Early detection could have prevented most of those deaths.

“When found early, cervical cancer is one of the most preventable, treatable and curable cancers,” said State Health Director Leah Devlin.

A Pap test is a simple medical procedure that can identify abnormal changes in and around the cervix that can develop into cancer. These precancerous changes rarely cause symptoms. That is why testing is so important, Devlin said.

The North Carolina Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program (BCCCP) urges all women to schedule regular Pap tests, and even offers free or low-cost screenings to low-income, uninsured and underserved women statewide.

“Many North Carolinians living with cervical cancer are not even aware that they have this condition,” said Jim Higgins, director of North Carolina Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program (N.C. BCCCP). “Many women may be able to avoid devastating outcomes associated with cervical cancer through early detection.”

Not everyone gets a regular Pap test. Many African American, low-income and elderly women are less likely to get regular Pap tests. Some of them have never had a Pap test in their lives.

N.C. BCCCP recommends that all women who over the age of 21, and younger women who are sexually active, talk to their health care providers about receiving cervical cancer screening. While any woman can develop cervical cancer, women are at increased risk of the disease if they engage in sexual intercourse at an early age, have multiple sexual partners, or participate in unprotected sex. Smoking and poor diet can also increase risk. National guidelines recommend that after three consecutive normal Pap results, Pap tests can be given less frequently.

The good news is women can reduce their chance of getting cervical cancer by being screened today. The best protection is early detection. Call N.C. BCCCP at 919.707.5300 to see if you are eligible for a free or low-cost Pap test.

January 2006 is National Cervical Cancer Awareness month.

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