In recognition of Cervical Health Awareness Month, singer-songwriter and actress Mandy Moore, The Gynecologic Cancer Foundation (GCF) and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) are teaming up to encourage young women to do their part to help reduce their risk of cervical cancer. The goal of the "Reality Check: What Young Women Don't Know About Cervical Cancer" campaign is to raise awareness of cervical cancer and motivate young women to talk to their healthcare professional about how to protect their cervical health now and for the future.

Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States in women in their twenties and thirties. However, a recent survey of more than 1,000 women 19 to 25 years old revealed that the vast majority (85 percent) do not believe they are at risk for cervical cancer now. Women surveyed felt more informed about diet and nutrition than they did about reproductive healthcare. In fact, approximately 1 out of 5 young women surveyed had "no clue" what the cervix does, and only half said they could identify their cervix on a picture of the reproductive organs.

"There's a lot I didn't know about cervical cancer and how to protect my cervical health, which inspired me to take action and rally other young women to join the cause," said Moore. "As young women, we should feel empowered to take care of our cervical health. Women shouldn't have to suffer from cervical cancer when there are things we can do to prevent this disease."

A Pap test is an important screening tool that can detect abnormal cells in the cervix before they turn into cervical cancer. In the U.S., every year, 3.5 million women receive an abnormal Pap test result, and of those, more than half a million are diagnosed with cervical pre-cancers that may need treatment. If left untreated, pre-cancers can grow into cervical cancer and may require more invasive procedures. Approximately 9 out of 10 women surveyed did not realize that cervical procedures to treat abnormal Pap test results (pre-cancers) can impact a woman's ability to carry a pregnancy to term. These procedures are sometimes needed to treat high grade Pap test results.

In addition to Pap tests, young women also have the power to help protect themselves against cervical cancer by getting vaccinated. However, of the young women surveyed who believe they are at risk for cervical cancer now, only one quarter have been vaccinated against the disease.

"Many young women don't recognize the importance of protecting their cervical health," said Yvonne Collins, M.D., gynecologic oncologist with Advocate Christ Medical Center and a member of GCF. "Our goal is to educate young women about the steps they can proactively take to help prevent cervical cancer and pre-cancers. Getting Pap tests, talking to their healthcare professional about vaccination against cervical cancer and making lifestyle modifications can all make a difference in the fight against this disease." To learn more about how to join the fight against cervical cancer, visit the GCF Web site at www.cervicalcancercampaign.org/realitycheck.

The Reality Check campaign is sponsored by the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation, with funding and editorial support by GlaxoSmithKline.

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