Cervical Health Awareness Month

January Is Cervical Health Awareness Month

Approximately 10,000 American women will learn they have cervical cancer/HPV this year, and nearly 4,000 will die from an advanced form of the disease. This January, during Cervical Health Awareness Month, the National Cervical Cancer Coalition (NCCC) is focused on educating women about the importance of the Pap test as a screening tool for cervical cancer/HPV and about vaccines that can further reduce the burden of this devastating disease.

It's the start of a new year - a time many reflect on their health. To start the year right, we encourage women to contact their health care provider to schedule a Pap test to check for cervical cancer. This screening is a crucial part of a woman's health care regimen, yet one that many overlook. "It's important to remember that cervical cancer is a preventable disease - as long as it's caught early enough," says Ms. Sarina Araujo, Executive Director of the NCCC.

While routine administration of Pap tests is the best means of detecting cervical cancer at an early stage, vaccines have the potential to protect women from the disease, by targeting cancer-causing types of the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV, a virus transmitted through sexual contact, is the single known cause of cervical cancer. Two forms of the virus, HPV 16 and HPV 18, account for more than 70 percent of all cervical cancer cases. Some medical experts believe that through a successful education, screening and vaccination program for women, we will have the potential to nearly eliminate cervical cancer in the U.S.

"These vaccines represent a major advancement in women's health and in cancer prevention. With these new tools, we may be able to help ensure no woman in the United States has to endure cervical cancer," says Juan C. Felix, MD, chairman of the NCCC medical advisory panel and chief of OB/GYN pathology at the Women's and Children's Hospital, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine. "We hope these vaccines will make cervical cancer a concern of the past."

Mr. Alan Kaye, the Chair of the Board of Directors of the NCCC states; "The United States has an inadequate delivery system for vaccines that may hinder mass immunization of women for the cervical cancer/HPV vaccine." Mr. Kaye went on to state; "The United States healthcare system is not structured adequately to handle the widespread immunization of adolescents and young adults."

Glaxo receives FDA 'complete response' for cervical cancer vaccine

Blood Flow In Cervical Tumors Can Predict Outcome

Cervical cancer risk reduces after stopping the birth control pill

Gardasil, The Cervical Cancer Vaccine Is Effective, Merck

Pap Tests Used More Than HPV For Cervical Cancer Screening

Poverty in America Awareness Month

January is “Poverty in America Awareness Month”

Today, 37 million Americans—and 1 in 6 children—are struggling in poverty, making hard choices between food, health care, heat and rent. To bring attention to this national crisis, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) has designated January as “Poverty in America Awareness Month.”

During this special month of observance, we devote our efforts to heightening the nation's understanding of the breadth and depth of the problems of poverty:

• Releasing a powerful public service campaign to raise awareness of poverty in America.
• Encouraging the editorial media to focus on poverty.
• Educating the public to be sensitive to the needs of those in poverty and to treat poor people with respect.
• Holding events in Catholic schools and public settings to make sure poverty is top-of-mind for all Americans.
  

What can you do to promote Poverty in America Awareness Month?

• Click here to use this graphic on your website!
  
  
• Visit our Media Center for public service messages.
• Get the facts about poverty.
• Learn how others have overcome poverty.
• Get involved in your community.
• Take the Poverty Tour.
• Email a friend with ideas, events to join or facts.
• Click on the images below to print a PIAAM poster to display.
  
  

• Get the facts about this forgotten state
• Read the latest news on poverty from CCHD
• Learn how others have overcome poverty
• Take a tour of this forgotten state
• Get involved in your community
• Email a friend about povertyusa.org

Glaucoma Awareness Month

January is Glaucoma Awareness Month

January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month, an important time to spread the word about this sight-stealing disease. Glaucoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness. Everyone, from infants to seniors is vulnerable. Moreover, among African-American and Hispanic populations, glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness.

Over 3 million Americans, and nearly 70 million people worldwide, have glaucoma. Experts estimate that half of them don’t know they have it. Combined with our aging population, we can see an epidemic of blindness looming if we don’t raise awareness about the importance of regular eye examinations to preserve vision.

The most common type of glaucoma—primary open angle glaucoma—is hereditary; so if you do have glaucoma, don’t keep it a secret. Let your family members know they are at increased risk.

Help Raise Awareness

Experts estimate that half of the people affected by glaucoma don’t know they have it. Here are three ways you can help raise awareness:

1. Talk to friends and family about glaucoma. If you have glaucoma, don’t keep it a secret. Let your family members know.
2. Refer a friend to our web site, www.glaucoma.org
3. Request to have free educational booklets sent to you or a friend

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that gradually steal sight without warning. Although the most common forms primarily affect the middle-aged and the elderly, glaucoma can affect people of all ages.

Types of Glaucoma

There are two main types of glaucoma: primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), and angle closure glaucoma. These are marked by an increase of intraocular pressure (IOP), or pressure inside the eye. When optic nerve damage has occurred despite a normal IOP, this is called normal tension glaucoma. Secondary glaucoma refers to any case in which another disease causes or contributes to increased eye pressure, resulting in optic nerve damage and vision loss.

Read more about Types of Glaucoma

Facts and Statistics

Glaucoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness, and in the most common form, there are virtually no symptoms. Vision loss begins with peripheral or side vision, so if you have glaucoma, you may not notice anything until significant vision is lost.

The best way to protect your sight from glaucoma is to get a comprehensive eye examination. Then, if you have glaucoma, treatment can begin immediately.

Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness among African-Americans. And among Hispanics in older age groups, the risk of glaucoma is nearly as high as that for African-Americans. Also, siblings of persons diagnosed with glaucoma have a significantly increased risk of having glaucoma.

Read more glaucoma facts and statistics

Risk Factors

Are you at risk for glaucoma? Those at higher risk include people of African, Asian, and Hispanic descent, people over 60, and people with diabetes or hypertension. Read more about groups of people who are at higher risk than others. Regular eye exams are especially important for those at higher risk for glaucoma, and may help to prevent unnecessary vision loss.

Help Us Find a Cure

Glaucoma Research Foundation is a national non-profit organization funding innovative research to preserve vision and find a cure for glaucoma. Gifts of every size make a difference. Donate today.

Related Articles

• What is Glaucoma?
• Are You at Risk For Glaucoma?
• Glaucoma Facts and Stats

Adoption Ribbon!

National Adoption Month

November is National Adoption Month, a month set aside to raise awareness about the adoption of children from foster care. This year's theme of adopting teens from foster care builds on the Ad Council's new public service announcement (PSA) campaign of the Children's Bureau, the Adoption Exchange Association, and The Collaboration to AdoptUsKids.

		National Adoption Month highlights
		2007 Presidential Proclamation
		Activities calendar

	For professionals For prospective & adoptive families For teachers Youth permanency

	Prospective foster and adoptive families call 888.200.4005 or email info@AdoptUsKids.org National Adoption Month 2007 Recruitment & Marketing Toolkit (PDF - 1035 KB) Professional publications

Lung Cancer Ribbon!

Lung Cancer Awareness Month

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month!

Lung Cancer Awareness Month (LCAM) is a national campaign dedicated to increasing attention to lung cancer issues. By organizing rallies, distributing educational material, holding fund-raising events, contacting Congress, and speaking to the media, those involved in LCAM bring much-needed support and attention to a disease that each year kills more people than breast, prostate, colon and pancreas cancers combined.

Here's how you can participate!

Raise Awareness
You can raise awareness about lung cancer where you live in many ways during November 2007:

• Sponsor an event to bring your community together around lung cancer.
• Gain official attention for lung cancer with petitions, proclamations, and more!
• Distribute LCA's Public Service Announcement to local media
• Make your voice heard by the media.
• Set up table(s) in your local hospital/medical center/clinic and distribute LCA and LCAM materials.
• Hang up LCA posters in clinics, community centers, churches, and other high traffic areas to remind people that No One Deserves Lung Cancer!

Make LCAM official where you live!
Join Maine, New Jersey and others by making LCAM official in all 50 states. View our interactive map to get statistics for your state.

• Write a letter to your governor and send a sample proclamation.
• FInd your Governor's name and address at www.50states.com.
• Make LCAM official in perpetuity through a bill working with your state representatives. Please let us know which state you live in.

Sponsor an Event

In past years, advocates have coordinated runs, walks, and dances to raise funds and awareness during LCAM. An example was the Race for Breath 2006. You too can hold a fundraiser!

Make your voice heard!

LCAM is an opportune time to make your voice heard in your local newspaper by writing a letter to the editor.

Got an idea for LCAM?

We’d be happy to hear about it!