CERVICAL CANCER: Online Campaign Aims to Educate Women
In recognition of Cervical Cancer Month, the National Cervical Cancer Public Education Campaign Thursday launched the first online cervical cancer awareness effort. By harnessing the outreach power of America Online, the NCCPEC and its 16 partners hope to reach five million women this month, educating them on the importance of regular Pap tests, improved detection techniques and the link between HPV and cervical cancer. A survey conducted by Wirthlin Worldwide found that more than 76% of American women have never heard of HPV. Although nearly 60% of the women surveyed reported having had a regular Pap smear, 70% of them said they did not know the causes of cervical cancer. "With early detection and education, this disease is preventable," said Dr. Omega Logan Silva, the American Medical Women's Association president-elect. The project was announced on a live Web cast led by representatives from the AMWA, which co-founded the NCCPEC, and AOL. Campaign partners include the American Cancer Society, Association of Reproductive Health Professionals, Business and Professional Women, Cancer Research Foundation of America, Planned Parenthood Federation of America and the Society for the Advancement of Women's Health Research. For more information, visit www.cervica lcancercampaign.org; AOL members are encouraged to access the information by going to AOL Keyword: Cervical cancer. AOL's Women's Channel will be hosting a number of community chats about cervical cancer this month. Click here to view the video of Thursday's event, or type http://www.pressevent.com/ccc/ccc.cfm in your Web browser. NOTE: You must have RealPlayer to view the video (NCCPEC release, 1/6).
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