based cervical cancerprevention activities

So, almost all cervical cancers are nowpreventable through organized screening with Pap tests, HPV tests andimmunization programs with HPV vaccines."Participating groups in the U.S. include the American Medical Women'sAssociation, the American Social Health Association, the Association ofReproductive Health Professionals, the Balm In Gilead, the Coalition of LaborUnion Women, the Global Summit of Women, the Hicks Foundation, the NationalAssociation of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health, the National Council ofWomen's Organizations, the National Women's Health Resource Center, theSociety for Women's Health Research, Tamika and Friends, Women In Government,the Yellow Umbrella Organization, and others."Cervical cancer can be virtually eliminated," said Elizabeth BattaglinoCahill, RN, Executive Director of the National Women's Health Resource Center."Women need to ask their clinician for a Pap test and, if they are 30 orolder, an HPV test, and they should get the HPV vaccine for their daughters.If these resources aren't available to them, they should advocate forprevention programs in their communities that follow current medicalguidelines." Ms. Cahill's organization will feature the Pearl of Wisdomcampaign on its site, , a leading resource for women'shealth information.In addition to a media outreach program, examples of planned activities in theU.S. include:Attendees of the National Council of Women's OrganizationsInaugural Ball on January 17th and the Asian Pacific American PearlPresidential Inaugural Gala on January 19th in Washington, DC, willreceive the pearl of wisdom pins.Rock musician and cervical cancer survivor Christine Baze willdistribute the pins as part of her Yellow Umbrella Tour concert seriesin cities around the globe.The DC Chapter of the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW) and theAFL-CIO Community Services Agency distributed pins at the NBC 4 Healthand Fitness Expo in Washington, DC.Through Women In Government, state legislators from across the nationwill distribute Pearl of Wisdom pins to their constituents andcolleagues, as well as display information about the Campaign on theirwebsites.Pearl of Wisdom pins are available at for $6.95 each andare also available in bulk All proceeds go to the U.S. Pearl of WisdomCampaign Fund, dedicated to the support of U.S.-based cervical cancerprevention activities.

Visitors can also send "virtual" Pearl of Wisdom pinsthrough the website."The elimination of cervical cancer is now a realizable goal and the Pearl ofWisdom is the ideal symbol to spread this powerful message. It is my hope thatwomen around the world and, indeed, everyone takes this symbol to heart andsupports our campaign to ultimately eliminate cervical cancer. It is vitalthat we all work together to ensure that women and their families do notcontinue to suffer from this terrible disease This battle can and must bewon," said Dr. Szarewski.About Cervical CancerCervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women worldwide. In theU.S., the American Cancer Society estimates that in 2008, 11,070 women willhave been diagnosed with cervical cancer and 3,870 women will have died of thedisease.

Cervical cancer is caused by persistent infections with high-risktypes of the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a very common sexuallytransmitted infection that 3 of 4 adults will have at some time in theirlives. Most of these infections go away on their own without treatment.Infections that do not go away on their own can lead to cervical cancer.A Pap test is the traditional method used for cervical cancer screening. AnHPV test identifies women who are infected with high-risk types of HPV thatcould potentially lead to cervical cancer.