A Better Weapon Available in the Fight Against Cervical Cancer

Each year, 12,200 American women are diagnosed with cervical cancer, 4,100 of whom will die. It is also projected that, this year alone, 80 women in Massachusetts will not survive this disease. With such harrowing statistics, one might assume that cervical cancer cannot be prevented. Sadly, this is not true. In fact, cervical cancer is one of the most highly treatable and greatly preventable cancers.

If this is the case, then why are so many women still becoming victims of cervical cancer? It has been found that approximately half of all cervical cancer cases are in women who have never been screened, and 10 percent are in women who have not been screened in the last five years. Cervical cancer also disproportionately affects minority women and those with lower incomes, because they are less likely to have access to routine screenings. Moreover, Hispanic women are twice to be diagnosed with cervical cancer as Caucasian women. Though cervical cancer rates have been significantly decreased over the last sixty years, due, much in part, to the widespread use of the Pap test, there is much more that can be done to prevent this disease.

With these facts in mind, it is clear to see that early intervention is key to preventing and treating cervical cancer, stopping the disease in its tracks. Although the Pap test continues to be an important diagnostic tool, its ability to identify women with cervical cancer and its precursors ranges between 51% and 85%, depending upon the laboratory used. A new DNA test, called the “thin prep” or “liquid suspension” method, first introduced in 1996, is highly predictive (with almost 100% certitude) of the presence of the virus. Approved by the FDA last June, New England Pathology, which is affiliated with Mercy Medical Center, is the first laboratory in New England to use the imaging system. By offering the HPV test along with the Pap smear to all women 30 and older, we can better identify the women most likely to develop the abnormal cell changes that lead to cervical cancer.

I learned all of this, and more, while attending the Women in Government’s annual conference, held March 21-23, 2003 in Arizona. Women in Government, a Washington D.C. based organization representing state-level elected officials, is the backbone of the national Challenge to Eliminate Cervical Cancer campaign. The purpose of this campaign is to push for legislation and resolutions nationwide that will facilitate increased education about cervical cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV), the cause of virtually all cervical cancer cases. The campaign also strives to ensure that there is better insurance coverage of the most innovative and effective screening methods, thus, giving all women equal access to these technologies - regardless of socioeconomic status.

I left the Women in Government conference feeling empowered and ready to make changes to ensure that no family in Massachusetts loses a mother, wife, or sister to cervical cancer. Earlier this year, I did just that. With the inspiration and support I received from my experience in Arizona, I filed legislation that establishes a commission that will, among other things, raise public awareness of the new technology available to detect HPV, strategize about preventing cervical cancer through newly-developed vaccines, and identify legal and insurance issues that may impede our efforts to ending cervical cancer.
Under this bill, every woman, regardless of her socioeconomic status, must be informed about and have access to routine cervical screening using the most up-to-date techniques. Members of Women in Government have already passed similar legislation in North Carolina and introduced a resolution in Indiana. Though my legislation was given $100,000 from the Massachusetts House of Representatives for the FY ’05 budget, it did not receive funding from the Massachusetts Senate. Therefore, members of both the House and the Senate will debate the issue in Conference Committee, which is currently taking place.

Though the first steps towards combating cervical cancer have been taken, the fight is far from over. By seizing the opportunity to eliminate cervical cancer, we are not only helping the women and families affected by this cancer. We are also establishing a road map for implementing new technologies to successfully fight other cancers, as well. No woman should die of cervical cancer. Please join me and the Massachusetts Legislature in this fight.
If you have any questions or need additional information, you can contact my office by writing to P.O. Box 937, Wilbraham, MA 01095, or calling (413) 599-4785. You may also e-mail me at gale.candaras-rep@hou.state.ma.us.

Gale D, Candaras, a Democrat, is the state representative for the 12th Hampden District, which includes Wilbraham, precincts 1 and 2 in East Longmeadow, precincts D, F, and H of ward 6, precincts B, C, D, E, F, and G of ward 7 in Springfield.