Awareness and Participation in Cervical Cancer Awareness Month: Guidelines for Engagement
During August, Cervical Cancer Awareness Month (CCA Month), people can join the fight against cervical cancer and support those affected by the disease. Here are some ways you can contribute:
Join Support Groups or Peer Networks
Organisations like Cervivor offer virtual meetups and opportunities to connect with survivors and supporters. These groups provide a safe space to share experiences and offer emotional support.
Attend Advocacy Trainings
Programs such as Cervivor School offer training to become an informed patient advocate. Learn how to lobby for better prevention, treatment, and care access.
Share Personal Stories
Raising awareness and reducing stigma is crucial. Share your personal stories of cervical cancer on social media, at community events, or through campaigns.
Volunteer for Patient- or Survivor-Led Initiatives
Get involved in initiatives that provide education, support, and policy advocacy. Your time and effort can make a real difference.
Donate to Organisations
Organisations like Cervivor rely on donations to fund patient advocacy, education, and support programs. Consider participating in campaigns such as Tell 20, Give 20 during CCA Month.
Contact Policymakers
Improve access to HPV vaccination, cervical cancer screening, and treatment services by contacting policymakers and advocating for legislative action.
Promote Cervical Cancer Screening
Innovative approaches like at-home screening kits can increase participation, especially for those facing barriers to traditional screening.
Educate Communities
Educate women and girls about prevention through HPV vaccination and regular cervical cancer screening, especially for vulnerable groups.
Support Health Care Professionals
Health care professionals play a vital role in providing integrated screening and treatment services. Support their efforts and ensure patient follow-up through the continuum of care.
Acknowledge and Uplift Survivor Voices
Survivor voices are powerful. Acknowledge and uplift these voices to inspire and empower others while advocating for equitable and accessible care worldwide.
Throughout CCA Month, organised virtual events, social media campaigns, and specific date-driven advocacy actions can magnify impact. Together, we can advance cervical cancer prevention, improve patient support, influence policy, and move closer to the World Health Organization’s goal of cervical cancer elimination globally.
Remember, cervical cancer begins in the lining of the cervix. Common symptoms may be mistaken for urinary tract infection symptoms, such as frequent urination, vaginal discharge, and pelvic pain. However, cervical cancer is preventable with screening and vaccination against HPV infection. Anyone with a cervix can develop cervical cancer, which kills more than 4,000 females in the United States annually.
Get involved today and help make a difference in the fight against cervical cancer.
- Joining support groups or peer networks, such as those provided by Cervivor, can offer a safe space to share experiences and offer emotional support for individuals affected by cervical cancer.
- By attending advocacy trainings, like those offered by Cervivor School, individuals can become informed patient advocates and learn how to lobby for better prevention, treatment, and care access related to cervical cancer.
- Sharing personal stories of cervical cancer on social media, at community events, or through campaigns is a crucial step in raising awareness, reducing stigma, and increasing overall understanding of this medical condition.
- Supporting health care professionals in providing integrated screening and treatment services is vital for ensuring patient follow-up and progress through the continuum of care for cervical cancer patients.
