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Jan. 2008, Women’s Care Reminds Women to Schedule Annual Exams

Eugene, Ore. – January is Cervical Health Awareness Month and Women’s Care Physicians and Surgeons of Eugene and Springfield urge women to make an appointment for annual Pap tests and cervical cancer screening. The Pap test has dramatically lowered cervical cancer deaths and is the most effective cancer screen to date. Additionally, the development of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine protects against 70 to 80 percent of the potential cervical cancer cases.

“Precancerous lesions of the cervix rarely produce symptoms, are detectable only with screening, and are completely curable,” says Dr. Deborah Dotters.

Risk factors for cervical cancer include HPV, smoking, lack of regular Pap tests and HIV infection.

Dr. Audrey Garrett of Women’s Care offers the following steps women can take to prevent and detect cervical cancer:

• Get annual gynecologic exams and Pap tests for early detection
• Ask your gynecologist if you and/or your daughter(s) are candidates for HPV vaccination
• Quit smoking
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Learn your family history of cancer and alert your gynecologist
• Educate yourself about the warning signs of cervical cancer
• Take a risk assessment to determine your risk of developing cervical cancer.

According to the National Cervical Cancer Coalition, each year approximately 10,000 women in the U.S. are diagnosed with cervical cancer, and 3,700 will die from the disease. Advancements in screening and treatment of cervical cancer have greatly reduced the number of incidence and mortality, but early detection and awareness is crucial to prevention.

About Women’s Care

Women’s Care is Lane County’s oldest independent physician group specializing in women’s health. The physicians at Women’s Care are committed to partnerships that honor patient individuality and dignity, while providing health care services ranging from obstetrics and gynecology to fertility and genetics, at three locations in Eugene and Springfield. More information is available at www.WomensCare.com.