. . . because women are W.O.R.T.H. it!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 31, 2010
CONTACT PERSON: Marilyn Ringstaff, clinic director
(706) 512-0453 (cell) or 232-3408 (clinic)
or e-mail marilyn@womenareworthit.org

WOMEN OF W.O.R.T.H. STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF SCREENING AND PREVENTION
DURING JANUARY CERVICAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH
Women Urged to Take Action and Protect Themselves in New Year

Rome, Georgia, (December 31, 2010) – Approximately 11,000 American women will learn they have cervical cancer this year, and nearly 4,000 will die from an advanced form of the disease. Every year in Georgia, over 400 new invasive cervical cancer cases are diagnosed and nearly 120 women will die from this preventable cancer.

This January, during Cervical Health Awareness Month, Women of W.O.R.T.H., Inc. (Women's Organization for Reproductive & Total Healthcare) 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.

Women ages 21 to 65 should have a Pap test at least every two years. 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 or cannot afford. “It’s important to remember that cervical cancer is a preventable disease–as long as it’s caught early enough,” says Marilyn Ringstaff, Executive Director of W.O.R.T.H.

While routine Pap tests are the best means of detecting cervical cancer at an early stage, vaccines also have the potential to protect women from the disease. 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. Unfortunately, Georgia has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the nation for HPV. One HPV vaccine is called Gardasil. W.O.R.T.H. provides the Gardasil vaccine free of charge to eligible males and females ages 11 through 26. W.O.R.T.H. also provides affordable Pap smears and follow-up management of abnormal Pap smears.

Women of W.O.R.T.H., Inc. is a non-profit organization founded in 2008 and is composed of volunteers and health care providers who are dedicated to improving the health status of women in Georgia. For more information about the clinic or to make appointments, please contact the clinic at (706) 232-3408 or by e-mail at info@womenareworthit.org

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. . . because women are W.O.R.T.H. it!