January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. As we enter 2012, many people will begin the New Year by making a resolution. As friends and family make resolutions to lose weight, exercise more or quit smoking—why not try something a little bit different? This year, schedule a Pap smear, also known as a Pap test as one of your New Year’s resolutions. Cervical Cancer Awareness Month was first established by the National Cervical Cancer Coalition (NCCC) in 1996. This nonprofit organization is dedicated to educating and informing at risk women and their parents about cervical cancer and the HPV disease.

In observance of Cervical Cancer Awareness Month in January, the Pinellas County Health Department reminds all women that cervical cancer is preventable with regular screening tests and follow-up care. Cervical cancer is also highly curable when found and treated early. Although it occurs most often in women over age 30, all women are at risk for cervical cancer.

The main cause of cervical cancer is the human papillomavirus (HPV), which can be passed from one person to another during sex. Many people will have an HPV infection at some time in their lives but, because HPV usually goes away on its own, few will get cervical cancer.

Planned Parenthood of Illinois is proud to be the nonprofit health care provider for more than 75,000 women, men and teens throughout the state. We work every day to keep women healthy, and our doors are open to everyone.

In honor of cervical cancer awareness month, we urge you to contact Planned Parenthood at 800-230-PLAN to see if you’re due for a checkup. Ribbons have become an easy way to align yourself with a cause, and show your support for those affected. The cervical cancer awareness ribbon is the nationally recognized teal color for cervical cancer awareness and support of Cervical Cancer.

You will find that selling Teal ribbon cervical cancer Awareness Merchandise and cervical cancer awareness merchandise will be one of the easiest ways to raise money for your cervical cancer Walk or cervical cancer Fundraising Event.

During the month of January, help spread the knowledge when it comes to the HPV disease, cervical cancer and the importance of early detection. You can do more cervical cancer awareness more than you think by:

• Sharing personal stories as a woman or family member if you have firsthand knowledge of a battle with HPV or cervical cancer.
• You can educate teens on cervical cancer awareness recent HPV research, prevention, detection and treatment options.
• You can highlight local HPV testing and treatment facilities in your area.

• You can invite a HPV or cervical cancer survivor into your local schools and youth groups to talk to teens in addition to cervical cancer awareness.
• Spread the word by contacting the local media to alert them to the dates of Cervical Health Awareness Month.
• You can make the NCCC’s cervical cancer/HPV press release, general statistics and literature on HPV and cervical cancer awareness available to the public in your company, health clinic or school.

• Write human interest editorial cervical cancer awareness for your local paper about cancer survivors in your community.
• Organize a local event to raise cervical cancer awareness and money for cervical cancer and HPV research—get the word out by alerting your print, TV and radio media.