From Deseret News archives:
Utah chosen for cancer education campaign
Wednesday, Utah Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert and first lady Mary Kaye Huntsman announced a cancer initiative to educate the public about the disease. Utah is one of 10 states selected by the National Lieutenant Governors Association to participate in a privately funded campaign they're calling "End Cervical Cancer in Our Lifetime."
"Cervical cancer is highly preventable," said Rose Defa, vice president of the American Cancer Society, which is co-sponsoring the campaign. "We can eliminate this in our lifetime. It's doable."
She said cervical cancer found while still localized is 92 percent survivable. Before it turns into cancer, the pre-invasive lesions on the cervix are nearly 100 percent curable. A half-million such precancerous cases are diagnosed in the United States each year.
Since cervical cancer is both predictable and preventable, "it's astounding we haven't eliminated it," said Dr. Karen Zempolich, a gynecologic oncologist at the Huntsman Cancer Institute. "It leaves children motherless and it leaves women childless."
Zempolich said cancer experts in Utah see about 50 to 100 cases of invasive cervical cancer a year. Experts say the vaccine is most effective if given before first sexual contact ever occurs.
Herbert said the lieutenant governors are promoting educating people about the HPV vaccine. "Ignorance is not acceptable. People can choose. It's not a mandatory vaccine."
The virus typically has no symptoms and usually disappears on its own, but some HPV may stay in the body for years and lead to cervical cancer. A simple, routine pap test is used to detect abnormal cells in the cervix caused by the virus, which are a precursor to cancer.
For women who are uninsured, underinsured or between jobs, Defa said the cost of cancer screening may be prohibitive. Part of the coalition's effort will be asking the Utah Legislature for an additional $600,000 to screen women who cannot afford the tests.
Comments
- A debt-free holiday season 8:09 p.m.
- Quotes on the passing of Abe Pollin 8:04 p.m.
- Wizards owner Abe Pollin dies 8:02 p.m.
- Small-ball women's basketball 8:00 p.m.
- MSU kicks 2 off football team 7:59 p.m.
- Chairs of NFL concussion panel resign 7:56 p.m.
- Photo: Crafting nutcrackers 7:20 p.m.
- S.L. budget discussions continue 6:49 p.m.
- Man pleads guilty in assault 6:49 p.m.
- $25K reward offered in slaying 6:21 p.m.
- Utah, BYU are top choices for bowls
- BYU would like friendlier rivalry
- Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
- Best prep football games of 2009
- KSL: Prostitution in Utah County
- Man trapped in own body for 23 yrs
- Kirilenko climbing blocks list
- Woman describes stabbing, killing
- Boys basketball rankings
- 'Dancing' will fill out finale
- BYU would like friendlier rivalry
225 - Glenn Beck to enter politics?
223 - RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
202 - Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
180 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
179 - Bronco, Kyle rubber match
137 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
136 - BYU records with win
133 - Letters: Rushing to judge Palin
116 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
104
Hey I just noticed that the Des News has the girls' basketball all-state...
You state: "The Government is NOT here to insure that YOU have equal rights."...
Is Kyle Whittingham really shopping himself around to other programs? That...
TV wouldn't "dominate" 5A, nor would they be an "average 5A" team. I would...
Is it ethical to hold an opinion on an initiative you haven't read?
If you go to google streetview and lookm at the house imediately west of the...
The "ethics" problem in Utah is not a problem. Period. We have one of the...
"Go Support your Brothers | 5:10 p.m. Nov. 24, 2009 Hey Bingham Football...
I'm glad to see that America is still America, and the 1st Amendment stands....
The winner of the utah/byu game is the real loser if they get the ice-bowl in...




You can be the first to comment on this story.