January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

According to the National Cervical Cancer Coalition, each year, more than 13,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in the United States. Cervical cancer is a preventable disease and highly curable if found early.

However, the percentage of women overdue for cervical cancer screenings has been increasing. As reported by National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 2019, the percentage of women overdue for a cervical cancer screening was 23 percent.

Among the women who were not up to date on screening, nearly 60% of said they did not know they needed screening was the reason for being overdue for screening. The new findings highlight how important it is for healthcare providers to recommend cervical cancer screenings to their patients.

In most cases, cervical cancer can be prevented through early detection and treatment of abnormal cell changes that occur in the cervix years before cervical cancer develops. The Michigan Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Navigation Program (BC3NP) provides low-income women access to breast and cervical cancer screening services (mammograms and Pap tests) and follow-up care if needed.

Publisher’s note: I met Frieda Weeks, the President of Hope for Heather, during the Remarkable Woman 2024 event in Los Angeles – I was the Michigan winner for WLNS – Channel 6. Here is that story: Rina “RiRi” Risper 2024 Remarkable Women

Frieda is Heather’s mother and one of the original founding members of Hope for Heather. Their mission is to raise funds to support ovarian cancer research, to promote education and awareness, and to help to provide comfort to women and their families devastated by cancer.

Do you need a speaker on the subject of cervical cancer?

Frieda’s gender, sensitivity, empathy, people skills, and dedication are the energy that drives and grows Hope for Heather. She is responsible for most of the grant money the organization receives. As a national advocate leader, she travels to Washington, DC, each year to meet with Congressmen to request financial support for federal research money. Frieda hosts the Sisters in Strength support group, manages H4h social media accounts, and regularly meets with survivors and caregivers to offer emotional support and ideas on how to manage their scary cancer journey. She speaks to large and small groups and periodically provides interviews for the media.

If you are looking for a speaker, please email Frieda at support@hopeforheather.org