Each year, around 500,000 people in the world develop cervical cancer. Around 300,000. Women are diagnosed with the disease each year. Cervical cancer can be prevented by regular screening and vaccination.

The Pearl of Wisdom Campaign to Prevent Cervical Cancer was launched by the European Cervical Cancer Association, in collaboration with its partners in the United States. Women are taught how to prevent cervical cancer by taking regular screenings and other steps. The campaign promotes the Pearl of Wisdom, which is the symbol of cervical cancer prevention around the world.

What is cervical cancer? Any part of the body can be affected by cancer, including the cervical cervix, which is the lower, narrower part of a woman’s uterus. Cervical cancer can be caused by HPV (human papillomavirus), which is a common sexually transmitted disease. Although most HPV infections disappear without treatment or symptoms, certain HPV types can cause abnormal cell growth in the cervix, which could lead to cancer.

Screening is important. Screening is a way to detect abnormal cervical cell growths before they can become cancerous. These abnormal cells can easily be removed so that cancer does not develop if they are caught early. Cervical carcinoma doesn’t usually present symptoms until it is advanced. Therefore, women need to be screened throughout their lives.

The Pap test is used to detect abnormal cervical cells. The HPV test is used to detect HPV high-risk forms. This can cause abnormal cervical cells. For women over 30 years of age, both the Pap and HPV screenings offer the best protection against cervical carcinoma.

Young girls and women can be vaccinated for the most common HPV types, 16 and 18. These are responsible in about 70% of cervical cancers. Research has shown that cervical disease prevention is possible with vaccination. However, not all HPV types are protected by vaccination. “Even women who have been vaccinated must be screened to protect against cervical cancer caused by the HPV types not included in the vaccines,”Dr. Philip Davies, Director of the ECCA.

To find out more or to purchase a Pearl of Wisdom pin as a token of support, visit www.PearlofWisdom.us.