Cervical Health Awareness

JANUARY IS           CERVICAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

The United States Congress has designated January as Cervical Health Awareness Month and January 17-23 is Preteen Vaccine Week. What good timing considering all of the news regarding cervical cancer and HPV!

HPV, genital human papillomavirus, is the most common sexually transmitted disease. There are more than 40 HPV types; certain types cause genital warts in males and females while other types can cause cervical cancer and other less common cancers. Vaccines can now protect men and women against some of the most common types of HPV. Pap tests are still recommended (see below for a link to the New England Journal of Medicine and comments on screening guidelines).

Have you heard?

• Males are also at risk for HPV infection and the HPV vaccine (Gardasil) is now approved for boys and men 9-26 years of age to protect them against genital warts. Although this might not seem directly related to cervical cancer at first glance, it is important to note that male vaccination will positively effect self-protection and partner protection.
• As of September 2009, the FDA approved Cevarix to prevent cervical cancer.
• As of November 14, 2009, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) no longer requires immigrant girls and women to have the HPV vaccine before becoming legal permanent residents.

Free resources!  

To assist you in getting updated information to your community, SWAP has pulled together some important resources. Click here for the SWAP search site where you can download a Spanish Language PSA and an HPV Fact Sheet.  Other outside resources are listed below.

Help us Create Awareness about Preteen Vaccine Week!

Preteen Vaccine Week is January 17-23, 2010. The California Department of Public Health, Immunization Branch is spearheading this campaign to promote the preteen check-up and immunizations for 11- and 12-year-olds including Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis), meningococcal, a 2nd chickenpox shot and 2 flu vaccines (one to protect against seasonal flu and another to prevent 2009 H1N1 flu). The HPV 3-shot series is also recommended for girls, but boys ages 9 to 26 years may also receive the vaccine.

Getting vaccinated is easy and inexpensive. FREE or low-cost vaccines are available for children 18 years of age and younger-just contact your local health department and ask if your child qualifies for VFC (Vaccines for Children Program); also, ask about their immunization clinic hours and what vaccines they have available.

To learn more about the campaign or find other promotional items, visit the CDPH Immunization Branch PVWcampaign site or contact Rebeca Boyte at rboyte@cdph.ca.gov or at (510) 620-3762.

• The California Cancer Registry, mandated by a state law passed in 1985 that makes cancer a reportable disease, collects statewide cancer data, and conducts surveillance and research into the causes, controls and cures for cancer. For more information, read January is National Cervical Health Awareness Month or go to the Registry website at www.ccrcal.org.
• The California Department of Public Health has additional HPV resources on its website including: 
     o  HPV Resources for the General Public
         http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/immunize/Pages/HPVResourcesfortheGeneralPublic.aspx  
     o  The California HPV Workgroup
         http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/immunize/Pages/HPVVaccineWorkgroup.aspx
     o  HPV Information for Health Care Providers
        http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/immunize/Pages/HPVInformationforHealthcareProviders.aspx
•  11/25/09 New England Journal of Medicine perspective, "Cervical Cancer Screening - New Guidelines and the Balance between Benefits and Harms" provides new guidelines that will most likely have an impact on your educational/promotional materials.

Announcing a New Resource for 2010!