World Cancer Day, February 4
Every February, the team at Comprehensive Cancer Centers celebrates World Cancer Day. World Cancer Day (February 4, 2021) is an initiative of the Union for International Cancer Control, the largest and oldest international cancer organization dedicated to advocacy initiatives that unite the cancer community. The goal of the organization is to reduce the global cancer burden, promote greater equity, and integrate cancer control into the world health and development agenda.
Locally, World Cancer Day offers residents of Southern Nevada another opportunity to get involved in raising awareness about early testing and diagnosis.
How You Can Help Raise Awareness for World Cancer Day
To get involved locally and help drive change here in Las Vegas and beyond, the team at Comprehensive Cancer encourages everyone to participate in World Cancer Day’s ‘I Am and I Will’ program – pledging bold and brave actions to reduce the impact of cancer.
2021 will be the the final year of the ‘I Am and I Will’ campaign, which focuses on taking a single action every day for 21 days as part of World Cancer Day’s 21 Days to Impact Challenge. It takes 21 days to create a positive habit. During this year’s challenge, they are spotlighting cervical cancer as there’s a real opportunity to save tens of millions of lives from cervical cancer – one of the most highly preventable and curable forms of cancer. So, for 2021, you are encouraged to use the 21 Days to Impact Challenge to improve your personal health, support someone you love with cancer, educate yourself about cancer, speak up about cancer or make history by helping to eliminate cervical cancer. Sign up to one of the five challenges to receive daily inspiration and practical guidance. Here’s how that works:
- Choose one of the five challenges below
- Sign up
- Every morning, receive an email with a new activity, inspiration, lesson or prompt
- Get closer to fulfilling your ‘I Am and I Will’ commitment
Daily challenges will focus on getting you moving more, eating well and living thoughtfully.
I Will Support Someone I Know With Cancer
Daily inspiration on simple and meaningful actions to bring care and attention to a loved one with cancer.
Daily prompts to build your confidence in talking about cancer and advocating for support and policy change.
I Will Get Informed About Cancer
Daily lessons to help you learn more about cancer and how it impacts ourselves, our communities and our world.
I Will Help Eliminate Cervical Cancer
Daily guidance to help you raise awareness of the global strategy for the elimination of cervical cancer.
How to Stay Ahead of Cervical Cancer
In addition to raising awareness to help yourself and others through advocacy, it’s important for women to help themselves by getting screened for cervical cancer. The most effective test for screening for cervical cancer is a Pap test. A Pap test is performed in a physician’s office or clinic as part of a pelvic exam. The physician or nurse scrapes a sample of cells from the cervix with a wooden scraper or small brush, and then smears the cells on a glass slide which is sent to a pathology lab for examination.
Comprehensive recommends women have Pap smears at least once every three years, beginning three years after first intercourse or age 21, whichever comes first.
The HPV test checks for Human Papillomavirus (HPV). The test can be done at the same time as the Pap test, with the same swab or a second swab. A Pap test plus an HPV test (called co-testing) is the preferred way to find early cervical cancer or pre-cancer in women 30 and older. If a Pap test does reveal potential issues, make sure to have your primary physician send you to Comprehensive Cancer Centers for additional tests.
Comprehensive Cancer Centers Can Help
Physicians at Comprehensive Cancer Centers provide a variety of treatment options for cervical cancer and all cancer types. To schedule an appointment with the team at Comprehensive, call 702-952-3350.
The content is this post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
