Women urged to avail of early screening for cervical cancer

January welcomes the first proclaimed month of the year, Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. Lt. Gov. Jude U. Hofschneider, who is joined here by the Commonwealth Cancer Association, supporters, and the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. Division of Public Health Non-Communicable Disease Bureau on Tuesday, Dec. 30, for the proclamation signing, urged all women in the CNMI to get themselves checked. (Jayson Camacho)

Joined by members of the Commonwealth Cancer Association, the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. Division of Public Health’s Non-Communicable Disease Bureau and supporters, Lt. Gov. Jude U. Hofschneider has proclaimed January as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month.

The proclamation signing, held Tuesday at the Governor’s Office, says the human papillomavirus is responsible for up to 70 percent of cervical cancers and that HPV vaccine prevents early stage cervical cancer.

It adds “There are too many women in the CNMI that have passed away from cervical cancer. Tthese were preventable deaths, and where cervical cancer can often be cured when it is found early, it is usually found through an early stage to a yet early or simple test called a pap smear. Pap smears are effective but it must be done regularly.”

A pap smear, also called a pap test, is a procedure to test for cervical cancer in women.

The proclamation also says that “January 2015 is National Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. CCA recognizes the impact of cervical cancer in our community. CHCC’s NCD Bureau will help provide women with HPV vaccine.”

CCA board treasurer Maggie C. Camacho said they are trying to reach out to the public and try to reach more people to get screened and the earlier they are screened is a lot better.

“We are trying to reach out to the general population of women. Especially nowadays, the younger generation is active in sex and you never know and that is why we try to promote HPV vaccinations in schools and will help prevent cervical cancer,” Camacho said.

CCA program manager Juan L. Babauta said that CCA members will try to reach out to schools as well and get the parents involved.

“There are no symptoms of cervical cancer and it is only around where the cancer develops that women might experience some discomfort. Cervical cancer generally develops slowly and in many cases can be prevented through screening and treatment of precancerous conditions,” Babauta said.

Hofschneider echoed CCA members in calling for all women to get educated about screening services.

“I urge all women in the CNMI to educate themselves and do early preventive screening with their healthcare providers and become aware that they are at risk of getting cervical cancer and ask all citizens who have women in their lives to do the same,” Hofschneider said.

This January, the theme color for Cervical Cancer Awareness Month is teal and white.

For more information and screening, call CCA at 682-0050 or visit them on Middle Road, Gualo Rai next to the 670 shop and NMPASI office.