Women: Take the ‘Pearl Pledge’ to protect yourself from cervical cancer

WASHINGTON - January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. The Coalition of Labor Union Women is part of a national campaign to let woman know that while cervical cancer is the second-leading cancer in women worldwide, it is preventable.

The Pap test, the HPV test and the HPV vaccine can prevent cervical cancer. The Pearl of Wisdom Campaign to Prevent Cervical Cancer is urging women to “Take the Pearl Pledge.” The pledge has three aspects: schedule an annual gynecologic examination; tell five friends about the pledge and ask them to do the same; and wear a Pearl of Wisdom in support of cervical cancer prevention. Women can visit www.PearlofWisdom.us/Pledge to participate. The Pearl of Wisdom campaign aims to secure 4,070 pledges – the same number of U.S. women who were projected to die of cervical cancer in 2009 – by Mother’s Day (May 9, 2010). Women can wear their own pearls to participate, or they can purchase a Pearl of Wisdom pin through the campaign. All proceeds go to the U.S. Pearl of Wisdom Campaign fund, which supports U.S.-based cervical cancer prevention activities. The Pearl of Wisdom Campaign to Prevent Cervical Cancer is a united, global effort that raises awareness of the new tools for preventing cervical cancer, encourages women to take full advantage of these tools, and advocates for the implementation of these tools for girls and women everywhere. In the U.S., the campaign is led by Tamika and Friends, Inc., a national nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness about cervical cancer, and includes approximately 20 national partners, including the Coalition of Labor Union Women. The U.S. effort is supported by an unrestricted educational grant from QIAGEN, Inc. More information is available at www.PearlofWisdom.us.