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January is Cervical Health Awareness Month

Newswise — According to the American Cancer Society, 3,870 mothers, daughters, and wives will die from cervical cancer in 2008.

Over 11,000 new cases of cervical cancer will be diagnosed by year’s end. The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ) is making experts available to discuss risk factors, treatment and prevention options surrounding cervical cancer.

CINJ is a Center of Excellence of UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

The most important risk factor in developing cervical cancer is human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.

Although most HPV infections do not cause cervical cancer, nearly all cervical cancers (99%) are related to HPV, according to the American Cancer Society.

HPV infections are common, but some strains can cause dangerous changes in the cells of the cervix that can lead to the development of cervical cancer.

Additional risk factors include smoking, poor diet, family history, and not getting an annual pap test.

Signs of cervical cancer include:
· Abnormal bleeding between periods
· Bleeding after sexual intercourse
· Vaginal discharge that has a foul smell or unusual in color

Cervical cancer is preventable when it is detected early.

Regular pap tests can find changes in the cervix before cancer develops. It can also find early cervical cancer in its most curable stage.