Take Time To Learn The Facts About Cervical Cancer

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Take Time To Learn The Facts About Cervical Cancer (NAPSA)—Youcan help protect yourself against cervical cancer, a disease caused by certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV). What is HPV? Many women don’t know and, until diagnosed with HPV at age 26, MaryBeth Ham- mer was one of them. MaryBeth, founder of Concerts for a Cure, a nonprofit aimed at raising awareness about HPV through annual benefit concerts, was not expecting to be one of the many victims of HPV. “I was completely shocked when I found out I had HPV,” she recalls. “I felt overwhelmed, because I knew nothing about HPVother than my doctortelling me that certain types of HPV can cause cervical cancer and other diseases.” I never thought it would happen to me Like many women, MaryBeth never thought she would get HPV, but she was diagnosed after having an abnormal Pap test. Her infection had progressed to early precancerous stages, but was caught in time before turning into cancer. “I am lucky that my dis- ease was caught early and hope my story inspires others to get educated,” says MaryBeth. “All Anyone can get— and spread—HPV HPVis easily spread. Women need to know that they can get HPV not just through sexual intercourse, but also through any type of genital contact with an infected person. Even though condoms may lower the chances of getting HPV, they do not offer 100 percent protection. And because HPV often shows no signs or symptoms,it can be passed on to a partner without even knowingit. “1am lucky that my disease was caught early and hope mystory inspires others to get educated.” —MaryBeth Hammer, founder of Concerts for a Cure The importanceof screening Approximately 30 women a day in the United States are diagnosed with cervical cancer. Because of the availability of cervical cancer screening, cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers. After receiving treatment, Mary- Beth’s health care professional con- women should learn about HPV, so they can help protect themselves and avoid getting the same diagnosis.” 80 percent of women will get HPV There are more than 100 different types of HPV, 30 to 40 of which infect the genital areas of women and men. An estimated eight out of 10 women will get infected with HPV in their lifetime—that’s 80 percent. For to your health care professional about HPV and get screened,” MaryBeth stresses. “I’m living proof!” Dr. Lisa Flowers, assistant professor of gynecology and obstetrics at the Emory University School of Medicine, concurs. “By its own. But for others who don’t clear certain types of HPV, cervical cancer can develop if not diagnosed andtreated early. For more information on HPV and related diseases, you can visit most, the infection will clear on siders her healthy, and sheis back to regular screenings. “It’s impor- tant that you educate yourself, talk getting screening regularly and understanding the facts about HPV, you can help protect yourself against cervical cancer. And who wouldn’t want to do that?” www.cdc.gov.

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