Health experts and actress highlight major breakthrough in fight against cervical cancer

"Never before has there been such a rapid rate of discovery in the field of cervical cancer prevention, screening and treatment," said Robert Giuntoli, M.D., representing the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation. "Advances such as liquid-based Pap tests, HPV testing and new research studies have given us great hope. However, we still need to inform women about the critical importance of receiving early and regular screenings for cervical cancer." Giuntoli cited the recent "2003 State of the State of Gynecologic Cancer: First Annual Report to the Women of America" issued by the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation, which details the progress that has taken place in cervical cancer detection and treatment over the past year.

The new HPV DNA test was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration this past spring for use in conjunction with a Pap test in primary cervical cancer for women 30 years and older. To date, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Cancer Society and the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals have each updated their screening guidelines and information to include HPV DNA testing in primary cervical cancer screening.

"No other woman should have to go through what I went through," said Sweeney, who described her battle with cervical cancer, which included a hysterectomy and radiation, eight years ago. "Women can prevent the development of cervical cancer. It starts with their annual visit to their gynecologist and should include the new HPV DNA test in conjunction with their Pap test. If this test had been available to me, I could have known I was at increased risk and then some of the abnormalities I had could have served as better warning signals to my physicians."

"The ability to test for the virus that causes cervical cancer marks the beginning of a new era in cervical cancer screening � and in fighting all women's cancers," said Phyllis Greenberger, president and CEO of the Society for Women's Health Research. "However, the first step to ensuring that this opportunity is realized, and that more women's lives can be saved, is education. We must educate the medical community, policymakers, women and insurers about the details and importance of the new HPV DNA test."

Worldwide, cervical cancer affects over 400,000 annually. In the United States, an estimated 12,200 women are diagnosed with the disease and 4,100 die from it each year, making it the third most common gynecologic cancer in women. While the Pap test has gone a long way in eliminating cervical cancer, studies show that it is only 50 to 80 percent accurate in detecting cervical disease and cancer.

The Society for Women's Health Research is the nation's only not-for-profit organization whose mission is to improve the health of women through research, education and advocacy. Founded in 1990, the Society brought to national attention the need for the appropriate inclusion of women in major medical research studies and the need for more information about conditions affecting women disproportionately, predominately, or differently than men. The Society advocates increased funding for research on women's health; encourages the study of sex differences that may affect the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease; promotes the inclusion of women in medical research studies; and informs women, providers, policy makers and media about contemporary women's health issues. Visit the Society's Web site at http://www.womens-health.org for more information.