Despite an increase in regular Pap tests to screen for cervical cancer, women in Georgia and across the nation are still dying unnecessarily from the disease.  Cervical cancer is preventable and treatable if caught early enough.  The Women’s Health Division of the Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness provides confidential testing at county health sites.

 All women are at risk for cervical cancer. It occurs most often in women over age 30. Each year, approximately 12,000 women in the United States get cervical cancer.  Last year, 390 women in Georgia were newly diagnosed with the disease, which happens to be the 12^th most common cancer diagnosed in the state.

Cervical cancer used to be the leading cause of cancer death for women in the United States. However, in the past 40 years, the number of cases of cervical cancer and the number of deaths from cervical cancer have decreased significantly. This decline largely is the result of many women getting regular Pap tests, which can find cervical pre-cancer before it turns into cancer.

 All women should begin getting a Pap test within 3 years of becoming sexually active, but not later than the age of 21.  Pap tests and pelvic examinations are available to eligible low-income, uninsured women at the following Fulton County locations:

•  Adamsville Health Center - 3699 Bakers Ferry Rd., SW, Atlanta, 404-699-4215      
• Center Hill Health Center - 3201 Atlanta Indus. Pkwy., Atlanta, 404-699-6370
• College Park Regional Health Center -1920 John E. Wesley Ave., College Park, 404-765-4155
• Lakewood Health Center - 1853 Jonesboro Rd., SE, Atlanta, 404-624-0626
• Neighborhood Union Health Center - 186 Sunset Ave., Atlanta, 404-612-4665
• Center for Health and Rehabilitation – 265 Boulevard., NE, Atlanta, 404-730-5835
• North Fulton Regional Health Center – 3155 Royal Drive, Alpharetta, 404-332-1834
• North Fulton Service Center - 7741 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs, (404) 612-CARE (2273)

Fulton County Division of Health Promotions and their partners will observe the Cervical Cancer Month by sponsoring free educational and fun events for interested residents.

The events listed below are open to public:

January 16, 2011                  Educational material will be distributed to the congregation

                                           Liberty Baptist Church

                                           395 Chamberlain Street, SE,  Atlanta, GA 30312                                            

January 20, 2011                   Presentation on Cervical Cancer to young ladies

                                           Time-    9:30 am

                                           Covenant House shelter for homeless youth

                                           2488 Lakewood Ave. SW, Atlanta, GA. 30315. 

 January 28^th  2011              Annual Bowling for Cause

                                         Time:  6:30 pm - 9:30 pm

                                         Suburban Lanes

                                         2619 N. Decatur Road, Decatur, GA. 30033

January 29, 2011               Third annual cervical cancer walk. “A Walk for Hope”.

                                        Time:   9:00 am -onsite registration beginning at 7:30 am   

                                        Atlanta Regional Commission - Loudermilk Building.

                                        40 Courtland St., Atlanta, GA 30303

January 30, 2011             A Play -  “Voices of Cervical Cancer”

                                       Time:  5:00 pm

                                       Columbia High School,

                                       2106 Columbia Drive, Decatur, GA 30032

Fulton County Health Services, Division of Health Promotion collaborated with Morehouse School of Medicine and community organizations like The Spirit Foundation, Wal-Mart, Grady Hospital, ANIZ, Inc., Artist for Spoken Word etc. to increase awareness in cervical cancer to Fulton County residents.

 Call 404-730-1517 for more information on these activities.