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‘One diagnosed with cervical cancer every seven weeks’
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Posted on Jan 12 2006
Every seven weeks, someone in the CNMI is diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer and more than 70 cases of invasive cervical cancer have been diagnosed in the CNMI over the past 10 years.
This, according to the proclamation letter signed yesterday by Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela and Commonwealth Cancer Association president Hans Mickelson. The proclamation said too many young women in the CNMI have died because they did not get a simple and important test—an annual pap smear.
“Cervical cancer rates for the CNMI are twice as high as Hawaii or the U.S. mainland. For Chamorro or Carolinian women, the current rate is more than three times higher than the U.S. or Hawaiian rate,” said the letter.
From Jan. 16 to 21, the CNMI will observe the 2006 Cervical Cancer Awareness Week. Tudela gathered health officials from the government and non-profit organizations yesterday at the Municipality of Saipan office in San Antonio for the proclamation signing.
Tudela said this year’s theme “Real Women Do It! Cervical Cancer Screening Saves Lives” aims at preventing the contraction of the disease for women. “Our goal is to get every woman tested before our families and loved ones are left without the wife or mother or sister they love,” said Tudela.
Volunteers from the Commonwealth Cancer Association will be conducting educational activities for the public and private sector. Tudela said an information booth on Jan. 21 at Price Costco. Other activities have been set up during the one-week observance.
Department of Public Health secretary Joseph Kevin Villagomez, DPH acting deputy secretary Lynn Tenorio, DPH Medical Affairs director Robin Shearer, CCA’s Jack Hardy, cancer survivor Vicky Vaughan, Cornerstone Christian Church’s Manolito Ray, and Rep. Cinta Kaipat representative Daisy Camacho witnessed the proclamation signing.
Municipal Council members Mary DLG. Tudela and Antonia M. Tudela also attended the event yesterday morning.
