Cervical Health Awareness Month

The United States Congress designated January as Cervical Health Awareness Month. More than 14,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer each year, but the disease is preventable with vaccination and appropriate screening.

During January, NCCC and its many local chapters across the country highlight issues related to cervical cancer, HPV disease and the importance of early detection. While NCCC chapters host events throughout the year, January is a month with a special focus as chapters celebrate Cervical Health Awareness Month and work to spread the word in their communities.

NCCC and the American Sexual Health Association (ASHA) also offer a range of resources (listed below) to educate the public and healthcare providers about cervical health, from fact sheets to episodes of ASHA’s Sex+Health podcast.

What Can You Do?

As someone who is interested in educating and advocating for increased knowledge of cervical cancer and HPV disease, you can do a lot. You can contact your local media to encourage coverage of Cervical Health Awareness Month, offering this ASHA/NCCC press release. You can also send this proclamation to your mayor, or local legislative office to publicly recognize Cervical Health Awareness Month.

You can also check out the resources on this page—download, display and distribute our cervical cancer awareness month posters and help NCCC and ASHA get the word out on social media.

Moms Talk Vaccines

Moms are always taking care of their children’s needs and trying to keep them safe. One way to do that—protecting them from HPV-related cancer with an HPV vaccine.

Alysia Reiner on Preventing Cervical Cancer through Education and Activism 

Award-winning actress Alysia Reiner (Orange is the New Black and Better Things) talks with NCCC and Maria Trent, MD, MPH, Professor of Pediatrics, American Health, and Nursing Division Chief, Adolescent/Young Adult Medicine at Johns Hopkins University, about preventing cervical cancer through education and activism.  

Conversation with Chapter Leader Jolene Whisler 
In this episode we talk with cervical cancer survivor Jolene Whisler, the leader of the National Cervical Cancer Coalition’s Peoria, IL chapter. Listen to Ms. Whisler’s insights for patients on making treatment easier, talking effectively with the medical team and practicing self-care. 
 

Promote Cervical Health on Social Media

You can help NCCC promote the importance of cervical health and cervical cancer prevention by sharing prevention messages throughout the month that cervical cancer is preventable! 

Twitter logo
Faceboom logo
  • January is Cervical Health Awareness Month. Visit NCCC to learn more. Get involved and make a difference! http://ow.ly/MdJb30760xc 
  • During Cervical Health Month in January ASHA is offering free downloads of our fact sheets and a fotonovela. Get yours today. https://tinyurl.com/2p8hesrh   
  • During Cervical Health Month in January you can download free materials from NCCC. For more go to NCCC. Get involved, make a difference! LINK TO JANUARY PAGE 
  • Not one single woman ever needs to die from cervical cancer. We have the tools we need to prevent this disease so let’s use them. Get involved. Make a difference! Visit the National Cervical Cancer Coalition online https://www.nccc-online.org/  

View the NCCC Ambassador Toolkit for additional graphics and posts to share. 

Downloadable Content

ASHA’s Sex+Health Podcast

Download or stream our Sex+Health podcasts and listen as we delve into all aspects of sex and sexual health, including episodes on HPV-associated cancers.  

The Art and Science of Treating Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancers can be as unique as the patients in whom they’re diagnosed so there’s no one size fits all approach to treatment. In this episode we talk with Dr. Leslie Randall, Division Head of Gynecologic Oncology with the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center. In addition to current treatment options like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation Dr. Randall discusses innovations like immune therapies, offers tips on how patients can cope with treatment and its aftermath, and talks about the crucial role patients play in the research and clinical trials process

A Conversation on Cervical Cancer with Denise Linton, DNS, RN, FNP, FAANP

Cervical cancer is preventable and that’s something to celebrate. We still have work to do though as some communities – especially people of color and rural residents – tend to be diagnosed with cervical cancer more frequently (and often with a more advanced stage). In this episode with chat with Denise Linton, DNS, RN, FNP, FAANP to explore ways to make medical care more accessible and welcoming for everyone. Dr. Linton also offers insights on the value of clinical trials in developing new therapies and how we can do a better job of making them far more inclusive.

HPV Tests Take Center Stage

It used to be so simple: go for an annual Pap! The venerable Pap is now frequently used as a co-test along with a test for the Human papillomavirus (HPV), the virus that causes almost all cases of cervical cancer. In this episode Dr. Latoya Patterson breaks down the current approaches to screening for cervical cancer including the newest option, HPV primary screening, where an HPV test is used without being paired with a Pap test. The Pap test still has a role, though, so tune in to find out all about it!

Understanding Cervical Cancer Prevention

Patients who are well-informed about tests and procedures –including why they’re having them in the first place- are empowered health care consumers. Understanding Cervical Cancer Prevention is designed to take the mystery out of the process so you will feel confident to speak-up, ask questions of your health care team, and become an advocate for your own health and well-being.

Heartland Health Services lit up the Murray Baker Bridge in Peoria, IL, for a Reveal the Teal observation for #CervicalHealthAwarenessMonth
NCCC chapter leaders virtually rang the bell to close the Nasdaq markets in January.

Us vs. HPV 

The fifth annual HPV Prevention Week takes place January 23-27, 2023. Topics this year will cover HPV-related cancers including cervical, head and neck, and anal. The event is open to a broad audience including clinicians, community leaders, and the public. Register at  https://www.giahc.org/us-vs-hpv/#savethedate