Governor Proclaims Cervical Cancer Awareness Month 2022

WHEREAS, January is recognized nationally as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, an observance that promotes education about cervical cancer causes, screenings and treatments; and 

WHEREAS, in North Carolina, an estimated 430 women were diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer, 120 women died of cervical cancer in 2021, and  

WHEREAS, an estimated 14,480 cases of invasive cervical cancer were diagnosed nationwide in 2021, minority women are diagnosed with cervical cancer at higher rates than white women; and 

WHEREAS, the North Carolina Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program (NC BCCCP) provides free or low-cost breast and cervical cancer screenings, and follow-up to eligible uninsured or underinsured women; and  

WHEREAS, regular cervical cancer screening tests are an effective way to detect the disease early, allowing for early diagnosis and treatment which significantly increase a woman’s chance of survival; and 

WHEREAS, in the past 40 years, the number of cases and deaths from cervical cancer has decreased significantly, due in part to the development of the Human Papillomavirus vaccination; and  

WHEREAS, increased awareness of prevention and detection methods among patients and health care providers is a key component in safe-guarding cervical health; with HPV vaccination, as well as routine screening and follow-up, cervical cancer is highly preventable; and  

WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina encourages organizations, health care practitioners and all people to promote awareness about cervical cancer for preventative measures, to support patients currently battling cervical cancer, and support those who have lost loved ones to this disease; 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim January 2022, as “CERVICAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.