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Cervical cancer seminar enlightens

Many women don’t know they can catch it. Many aren’t even sure what “it” actually is. The reality is, however, that cervical cancer is fast becoming an epidemic among young women worldwide. What is even scarier is that many women don’t know the fact on how to recognize and avoid risk factors.

A seminar on the importance of getting tested and avoiding high-risk activities such as having multiple sexual partners or having unprotected sex was held on Monday in the Black & Gold Room.

The seminar was organized by reigning Miss Cover Girl, Kourtni Mason, and sponsored by Women ROCC, a group designed to educate young women on the risks of cervical cancer. After opening remarks by Mason, Dr. Afua Arhin, associate dean of the GSU School of Nursing, chimed in with statistics, health risks and ways for the young ladies in the audience to avoid the development of cervical cancer.

According to information given by Dr. Arhin, cervical cancer in most cases is a direct aftereffect of human papillomavirus or HPV. HPV is a sexual transmitted disease that affects not only women but men as well. In women, the disease is further complicated since it has been linked to cervical cancer in a major way.

Dr. Arhin went on to explain that between 1955 and 1992, cases of HPV were down by 74 percent. In recent years though, cases of HPV and cases of cervical cancer have increased.

The best way to prevent the spread of HPV, according to the remarks by Dr. Arhin, is abstinence, while the most realistic defense is the use of condoms. The young women in attendance were urged to get tested for irregularities involving the cervix.

The program was viewed to be a success as it was designed to inform young women on the dangers of this disease.

“I believe this program was a tremendous success. Hopefully in the future, we can conduct more programs to educate women as well as men about their health,” said Mason.

Many of the other young ladies shared the same sentiment, though they declined to comment. The health issues faced by young women are nearing epidemic proportions, and the risk of Cervical Cancer has become quite scary, especially in communities where young women may not get to the doctor as much as they should.

Programs like these are important to spread of good health habits, and they are absolutely a necessity when it comes to educating young black women on issues that could protect them from possible life endangering situations.