Women In Government State Director, Senator Martha Scott (MI), recently discussed "A Roadmap for Success: The State of Cervical Cancer Prevention in America in 2010" in the Michigan Chronicle.  “Cervical cancer is one of the only cancers that can almost always be prevented with the right knowledge and preventative steps,” Senator Scott said. “I am very glad to see Michigan moving in the right direction and leading the battle against this deadly disease.”  The State of Michigan recieved a rating of "Very Good" in the report released in March. 

Click here to view the article.

A report released by Women In Government (WIG) shows that states are making progress in the fight against cervical cancer. However, despite tremendous progress, there still is substantial variation with cervical cancer prevention efforts, particularly for underserved populations, across the states. Among the steps still needed to make effective cervical cancer prevention a reality for women at all socioeconomic levels is to increase funding for screening and vaccination programs to ensure access for women who are uninsured or underinsured. These findings from A Roadmap for Success: The State of Cervical Cancer Prevention in America 2010, the sixth and final state-by-state comparison report released by WIG, are designed to highlight the tremendous strides that have been made to battle cervical cancer since WIG took up the initiative six years ago.

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. Women In Government encourages state legislators to address cervical cancer prevention by increasing access to the most advanced screening and preventive technologies, particularly for underserved women, and increasing awareness about HPV and cervical cancer.

The National Council of Women's Organizations' Women's Health Task Force comprises 18 organizations that support the work of NCWO member organizations, including Women In Government, to advance women's health and to promote NCWO's healthcare policy agenda.  To learn more about the task force or to add a button to your own site, click here.

On October 16, 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of Gardasil in boys aged 9-26 years and the use of Cervarix in girls aged 10-25 years. 

Gardasil, made by Merck, is already FDA-approved for use in girls aged 10-25 years.  While the FDA approved Gardasil for use in boys, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) did not urge for routine use of the vaccine in boys as it has for girls.  As a result, the vaccine may not be offered by all doctors and may not be covered by insurance.

Cervarix, made by GlaxoSmithKline, is only FDA-approved for girls and only protects against the two cancer-causing HPV strains (16 & 18).  The use of Cervarix in girls was voted favorably by ACIP; thus, the vaccine should be readily available and covered by insurance.