Office of Community Outreach, Engagement, and Equity | |
Protecting yourself and your loved ones against cervical cancer
Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Community Outreach office launches the new year each January by participating in Cervical Health Awareness Month. This observance allows us to join a global effort to educate about cervical cancer and share ways to stay protected against this highly preventable disease.
Cervical cancer is the fourth-most common cancer in women worldwide. And while low- and middle-income countries suffer the highest rates of cases and deaths, the U.S. sees around 12,000 new cases each year, with more than 4,000 women dying from the disease. In Texas, the statistics are particularly alarming. Here, cervical cancer is the third-leading cancer diagnosis in women ages 20 to 39 and the second-leading cause of cancer death in this age group. It is also the fifth-leading cancer in women ages 40 to 49.
There are two key steps that people with a cervix can take to reduce their risk for cervical cancer. One step is getting vaccinated against HPV – the virus that causes most cervical cancers. Another path to protection is seeing your gynecologist or health care provider regularly for cervical cancer screening tests, along with follow-up care when needed.
Screening tests – including the Pap test and HPV test – can help prevent cervical cancer or find it early. The Pap test looks for cervical cancers and precancers, which are cell changes that could turn into cancer if not treated. The HPV test checks for infection with high-risk HPV types that can cause cervical cancer. While there’s no treatment for the virus itself, there are treatments for the cell changes that HPV might cause.
When cervical cancer isn’t identified and treated, it can eventually grow into surrounding tissues and cause symptoms such as pelvic pain and unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge. These symptoms should be reported to a doctor right away.
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Get vaccinated
HPV vaccination protects against the types of human papillomavirus that most often cause cervical and other cancers. The CDC recommends HPV vaccination for all preteen boys and girls at age 11 or 12 (or can start at age 9) and for everyone through age 26, if not fully vaccinated already. Learn more about the HPV vaccine.
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Get screened
The Pap test is recommended for everyone with a cervix ages 21 to 65 years old. Between the ages of 30 and 65, you could choose to get a Pap test only, an HPV test only, or both tests together. Learn more about screening tests and what the results mean.
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Report unusual symptoms
See your doctor if you experience:
- Bleeding after sex
- Bleeding between periods or after menopause
- Unusual-looking or foul-smelling vaginal discharge
- Vaginal pain, particularly during sex
- Ongoing pelvic, leg, or back pain
Ignoring symptoms could allow a cancer to continue growing and become more difficult to treat. Learn more about the signs and symptoms of cervical cancer.
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Sources: The World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Texas Department of Health and Human Services, the American Cancer Society
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Additional Resources
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To find low-cost HPV vaccines for your child, contact the Texas Vaccines for Children program. Learn more here.
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Hereditary cancer organization offers tool to identify trustworthy health information
Are you getting your health information from a reliable source? Misinformation, particularly when shared, can lead to harmful health outcomes. A new interactive tool from FORCE – Facing Hereditary Cancer Empowered – helps the public spot reliability red flags and identify trusted sources of health information. “Knowledge is power,” says FORCE, “but it must be based on correct information!”
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Good news for kidney cancer patients
On Dec. 14, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration expanded the approved use of belzutifan (brand name Welireg) for treatment of metastatic kidney cancer. The first-in-class drug, which arose from scientific discoveries at UT Southwestern, was initially approved by the FDA in 2021 for familial kidney cancer. The latest approval broadens the drug’s label to anyone with advanced renal cell carcinoma. Read more about belzutifan and the scientists behind it.
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Do you know a cancer patient who could use help with house cleaning?
Cleaning for a Reason took shape when a prospective client told Debbie Sardone, owner of the Texas-based Buckets & Bows Maid Service, that she couldn’t afford home cleaning because she was about to undergo cancer treatment. Debbie decided that no cancer patient would be turned away by her business. And, today, 1,300 residential cleaning companies across the U.S. and Canada have joined Debbie in philosophy and practice.
Cleaning for a Reason’s network of professional cleaning companies provides free home cleanings for patients of all ages in active treatment for any cancer, allowing patients to focus on their health and valuable time with loved ones.
To learn more about the service and to apply for two free house cleanings (one per month for up to two months), visit cleaningforareason.org. You can also apply for someone else!
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Share your newsletter suggestions with us
Please let us know how we can serve you with cancer news and community resources in 2024. Drop us a line in our virtual suggestion box here.
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Free Cancer Screenings and Community Events | | |
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Moncrief Cancer Institute – Free Mobile Cancer Screenings
UT Southwestern’s Moncrief Cancer Institute is offering free cancer screenings at the following locations in the coming weeks. To learn about qualifications and schedule an appointment, call 817-288-9970.
MAMMOGRAM CLINICS
Tuesday, Jan. 23, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Central YMCA
2200 W. Davis St., Arlington, TX 76001
Thursday, Jan. 25, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Saginaw Goodwill
415 N. Saginaw Blvd., Saginaw, TX 76179
Saturday, Jan. 27, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
New Breed Grace Baptist Church
1659 Sandy Lane, Fort Worth, TX 76112
Wednesday, Jan. 31, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
La Gran Plaza de Fort Worth
4200 South Freeway, Fort Worth, TX 76115
PROSTATE CANCER SCREENING CLINICS*
Saturday, Jan. 20, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
For His Kingdom Church
5701 Westcreek Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76133
Saturday, Feb. 3, 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Ben Thanh Plaza
1818 E. Pioneer Pkwy., Suite 100, Arlington, TX 76010
*Screenings are for men between the ages of 40 and 69.
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Parkland Health – No-Cost Breast Cancer Screenings
Parkland’s Moody Center for Breast Health is providing no-cost screening mammograms for women living in certain Dallas County ZIP codes. If you are age 40 or older and have not had a mammogram in the past 12 months, check out the following event and register online. For more information, call 214-266-3333.
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Saturday, Jan. 27, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
Innovation Center
4315 S. Lancaster Road, Dallas, TX 75216
Register here.
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Simmons Cancer Answers
Cancer and Nutrition: Myths vs. Facts
Friday, Jan. 19, Noon-1 p.m. | Zoom
Join Simmons dietitians Shelli Hardy and Bailey Irvin to learn the myths vs. facts when it comes to choosing the best foods for your health – before, during, and after cancer treatment. Register here.
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2024 Us vs. HPV Webinars
Jan. 22-26 | Zoom
The American Medical Women’s Association and the Global Initiative Against HPV and Cervical Cancer are hosting a week of webinars, including a congressional briefing, to promote awareness of HPV and HPV-related diseases and to address disparities in prevention and treatment. See the agenda and register here.
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2024 Cervical Cancer Summit
Powered by Cervivor, Inc.
Jan. 25-27 | New York
Cervivor has planned a dynamic summit that’s all about empowering survivorship through community vibes, making connections, and weaving together personal stories. Attendees can soak up knowledge and be part of a collective “think tank” dedicated to the cervical cancer journey. Learn more and register here.
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2024 ZERO Advocacy Summit
Feb. 25-27 | Washington D.C.
This year's summit starts off with the prestigious Bold for Blue awards, recognizing individuals who have devoted their lives to prostate cancer causes. Attendees will also be able to engage in educational sessions, advocacy training, and networking. The final day includes a trip to Capitol Hill to advocate for essential funding in research, health screenings, and early detection. Register here.
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14th Annual Dallas 5K Walk/Run
Saturday, March 30, 7:30 a.m. CDT
Virtual or In Person
The Katy Trail at Reverchon Park
3505 Maple Ave., Dallas, TX 75219
Join GO2 For Lung Cancer and UTSW as we step out for everyone impacted by lung cancer. This year's 5K returns to the Katy Trail, a special course winding through some of the most beautiful parts of Dallas. At the end of the race, celebrate with us at the post-race party! Register or donate here.
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Visit the Office of Community Outreach, Engagement, and Equity to learn more about our mission to reduce the cancer burden in North Texas and promote equity in cancer prevention, care, and outcomes through research, education, and engagement, particularly for racially and ethnically diverse, rural, and other underserved communities.
See how you can join us!
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For newsletter questions, comments, or suggestions, email Renee.Barber@UTSouthwestern.edu. | | | | |
