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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) – A new report from the American Cancer Society shows that there has been an increase in new cervical cancer cases for women ages 30 to 44. But it turns out Alabama is already leading the way to turn this statistic around.
It’s called Operation Wipe Out. This is a unified approach of Alabama doctors, nonprofits and health leaders. They met at a summit Friday to discuss the three-part strategy: get vaccinated against HPV, get regular screenings and receive care if needed following that to put a stop to it.
Alabama Department of Public Health State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris was one of the speakers at Friday’s summit.
“This is a unique opportunity because we have everything that we need to eliminate this disease in Alabama,” Harris said. “We don’t need new technology and new inventions and new types of treatments – we already have all of that. It’s just a matter of getting information and getting our plan out to the right people, making sure they understand and, in a generation, we can be done with this disease.”
Harris said it’s important for boys and girls ages 12 and up to get the vaccine.
“Most people don’t realize cervical cancer is typically caused by an infection. It’s caused by a virus called HPV, and we have a great vaccine for HPV,” Harris said. “I think when parents learn you can prevent cancer with a vaccine – I think most of them when they learn that fact, they’re really interested in protecting their kids.”
For boys, Harris said the vaccine helps to prevent other cancers caused by HPV.
Coming up on the Living Local Community News Sunday morning, we will hear from a UAB doctor leading the work on this.
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