Womens healthcare is a hot button for me, as I find that many women manage the health of their family members, their careers, the household, and seem to let their own healthcare slip through the cracks. It doesn't happen on purpose. It's as easy as leaving the dentist and telling them to just send you a postcard because there's no way you can commit to an appointment six months from then as you race out the door to pick up a child from an event or get back into the office. Then the postcard arrives, and it gets buried in a drawer or on a desk pile, and when you finally get back into the dentist, it's been a year and you now need a root canal. (Not that this has happened to me, but it isn't far from the truth. I wouldn't be surprised if it does happen - and often.)
While forgetting to care for your teeth may not seem life-threatening, women can easily fall into this trap on all aspects of their health, because of lack of money, insurance, time or knowledge. I'd like to see this change. I'd like to see women enabled to take charge of their own health and not feel guilty about it! If you think something funny or weird is going on with your body - call your doctor and get it checked out. (Don't let a task force's statistical findings deter you from doing what you feel or know to be the best for your own healthcare. Women are more than just numbers and individually deserve a discussion for our own best healthcare plan.)
So in honor of Cervical Cancer Awareness month this January, I'm participating in Taking The Pearl Pledge as a reminder for women to schedule - and keep - their annual gynocologic exam, wear a pearl pin to remind others and encourage at least five friends to do the same. The campaign is trying to get 4,070 pledges by Mothers Day 2010 - the number of women in the U.S. projected to die of cervical cancer in 2009.
It's super easy to participate and pledge for the Pearl of Wisdom campaign. All you have to do is commit to scheduling your appointment (you can even schedule for the campaign to email you a reminder for your appointment the month of your choosing!), tell five friends about it and wear the pearl pin you'll be given.
Some facts about cervical cancer (taken from the Pearl Pledge site):
- Cervical cancer is the second leading cancer in women worldwide.
- In the U.S. this year, more than 11,000 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer, and over 4,000 will die from it.
- Cervical cancer is almost always preventable: with the Pap test, the HPV test and HPV vaccine.
Also, be sure to check out Dr. Marie Savard's post on ABC News about the new Pap smear recommendations and what they can mean for you and your healthcare (read her entire piece).
And check out Michelle Whitlock's story of surviving cervical cancer as a young woman, and her drive to prevent others from facing the same decisions and situations she has endured. Or read about Tamika Felder and her organization www.Tamikaandfriends.org
For more information on the campaign, go to: http://www.pearlofwisdom.us/pledge/pearl-of-wisdom-campaign
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