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Cervical Cancer Awareness Week – SOGC reminds women about the importance of cervical cancer screening and prevention

Ottawa - October 30, 2008 - To recognize Cervical Cancer Awareness Week (Oct. 27-31), the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) is reminding all Canadian women of the importance of taking proactive steps to prevent cervical cancer, such as receiving regular Pap test screening or HPV vaccination.

Since their inception, Pap test screening programs have dramatically reduced the number of Canadian women who are diagnosed with cervical cancer, or who die of the disease. Despite these successes, there are still millions of women who do not participate in regular screening, and are at much greater risk for developing this disease.

“As a society, we’ve come a long way to reducing the burden of this disease, but we need to ensure that we do not allow ourselves to become complacent about regular Pap testing,” said Dr. Scott Farrell, President of the SOGC. “Particularly for those women who have not had a Pap test in some time, this week provides an excellent opportunity to send the message that this one simple test can dramatically reduce your chances of developing this disease.”

Women aged 9-26, may also want to consider receiving HPV vaccination. HPV, or the Human Papillomavirus, is an extremely common sexually transmitted virus, and the primary cause of cervical cancer. A vaccine currently exists which can prevent strains of HPV that are responsible for about 70% of cervical cancers, and 90% of genital warts. While this vaccine can help reduce your chances of developing cervical cancer, it is not a substitute for regular Pap test screening.

At a Glance:

The Canadian Cancer Society recommends that women who are sexually active should have the Pap test and pelvic examination every one to three years depending on the guidelines in their province.

In 2008, there will be an estimated 1300 new cases of cervical cancer, and an additional 380 women will die of the disease ¹
Most women who develop cervical cancer have not been screened in the three years prior to their diagnosis. ²
Cervical Cancer deaths have decreased by about 60% over the past 30 years, largely due to Pap test screening programs. ³
According to Statistics Canada, more than five million Pap tests are performed annually in Canada.

For More Information:

Canadian Cancer Society: www.cancer.ca
Cancer Care Ontario: www.cancercare.on.ca
Information on HPV: www.hpvinfo.ca
Information on Pap tests, designed for youth:
www.sexualityandu.ca/teens/pelvic-1.aspx

References:

Canadian Cancer Society. Canadian Cancer Statistics 2008
http://www.cancer.ca/
Health Canada. It’s Your Health: Screening for Cervical Cancer.
Canadian Cancer Society. Canadian Cancer Statistics 2006 - Screening: Breast, colorectal, cervical

Contact:

Mike Haymes
Media Relations Officer, Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada
Tel:(800) 561-2416 ext. 325
Email: mhaymes@sogc.com
Web: www.sogc.org

Last Updated October 30, 2008