The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) will highlight three distinct research initiatives that show the impact IARC is making in addressing the global burden of cervical cancer during Cervical Cancer Awareness Month in January.
The projects being highlighted are in the areas of I cervical precancerous lesion treatment in a resource-constrained environment, (ii) improving coverage of cervical cancer screening programs in at-risk populations, and (iii) vaccination against high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV), the causative agent of the majority of cases of cervical cancer.
Around 342 000 women would die from cervical cancer worldwide in 2020, according to an anticipated 604 000 new cases of the illness. 90% of cervical cancer cases and deaths (both high incidence and mortality rates) occur in low- and middle-income nations. Through the Global Strategy to Accelerate the Elimination of Cervical Cancer, IARC and the World Health Organization are collaborating with other partners to eradicate cervical cancer as a public health issue.
To read all the changes during Cervical Cancer Awareness Month in January, make sure to frequently check the IARC website or follow the IARC on social media.
In This Article...
What shade is the cervical cancer ribbon?
The colors for cervical cancer awareness are teal and white. Wearing a cervical cancer ribbon promotes awareness of this important public health issue, which affects hundreds of thousands of individuals worldwide each year. It also demonstrates support for those who have been diagnosed with the disease.
What is the month of cervical health awareness?
The United States will observe Cervical Health Awareness Month in January 2022, while the United Kingdom will observe Cervical Cancer Prevention Week from January 1723.
What shade is the month of cervical health awareness?
Cervical Health Awareness Month is what color? For the month of Cervical Cancer Awareness, the color teal is used. Healthcare professionals spread knowledge about cervical cancer’s causes and methods of prevention, such as early screening and vaccinations.
When is Women’s Cancer Awareness Month?
All malignancies of the female reproductive system, including those of the cervix, ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, vulva, and vagina, are referred to as gynecological cancers. These malignancies pose a threat to all females.
Over 29,000 women die from gynecological cancers each year in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Roughly 89,000 women are diagnosed with them. Different gynecological cancers have various warning signs, symptoms, and risk factors. Risk rises as people age.
The following are the main groups of gynecological cancers:
Cervical HPV (human papillomavirus) infection is virtually always the root cause of cervical cancer. Cervical cancer risk is higher in women who do not routinely undergo testing to identify HPV or abnormal cells in the cervix.
Ovarian epithelial cancer, which starts in the tissue covering the ovary, the lining of the fallopian tube, or the peritoneum; ovarian germ cell tumors, which start in the egg or germ cells; and ovarian low malignant potential tumors, which start in the tissue covering the ovary. There are three different types of ovarian cancer in adults.
The tissues of the uterus, the organ in which a fetus grows, are where uterine cancer begins. Endometrial cancer and uterine sarcoma are the two kinds of uterine cancer.
The tissues of the endometrium, or uterine lining, are where endometrial cancer develops. Endometrial cancer risk factors include being obese, having high blood pressure, and having diabetes.
A uncommon form of cancer called uterine sarcoma develops in the tissues that support the uterus or in the uterine muscles. The risk of uterine sarcoma can rise when receiving radiation therapy and being exposed to X-rays.
Both forms of uterine cancer are at increased risk due to the use of the breast cancer medication tamoxifen.
Vaginal cancer can be classified into two primary categories: squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Squamous cell cancer is less likely than adenocarcinoma to spread to the lymph nodes and lungs. Diethylstilbestrol (DES) prenatal exposure has been associated to a rare kind of cancer.
After menopause, women are more likely to develop adenocarcinomas that are unrelated to DES exposure.
Within a woman’s exterior genitalia, vulvar cancer develops. The outer vaginal lips are more frequently affected by vulvar cancer.
Long-lasting abnormal cell growth is possible on the vulvar skin’s surface. Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia is the medical term for this disorder (VIN). It’s critical to seek treatment because VIN can develop into vulvar cancer.
A history of genital warts, VIN, and HPV infection are all risk factors for vulvar cancer.
What is the cervical cancer survival rate?
The number of people who are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year is disclosed on this page. Additionally, you’ll learn general information on battling the illness. Recall that a number of factors affect survival rates. To view additional pages, use the navigation.
Invasive cervical cancer will be discovered in 14,100 women in the United States this year, according to estimates. In 2020, 604,127 women were expected to have cervical cancer diagnoses globally.
Between the mid-1970s and the mid-2000s, cervical cancer incidence rates decreased by more than 50%, in part because more women were screened, which can detect alterations in the cervical tissue before they progress to malignancy. The incidence rates were largely unchanged between 2009 and 2018. However, the use of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine may be to blame for certain declining incidence rates in young people (see Risk Factors).
This year, there will likely be 4,280 deaths in the US as a result of this illness. Similar to the incidence rates, the death rate in the United States has decreased by around 50% since the mid-1970s, in part due to early discovery of cervical cancer due to increased screening. From 2010 to 2019, the death rate continues to decrease by less than 1% annually. The expected global death toll from cervical cancer in 2020 is 341,831 women.
Most cases of cervical cancer are discovered between the ages of 35 and 44. In the US, a diagnosis is made at an average age of 50. After the age of 65, about 20% of cervical cancer cases are discovered. People who did not have routine cervical cancer tests before the age of 65 typically develop these situations. Cervical cancer in those under the age of 20 is uncommon.
The percentage of persons who survive at least 5 years after their cancer is discovered is shown by the 5-year survival rate. Percentage refers to the number out of 100. All cervical cancer patients had a 66 percent 5-year survival rate.
However, characteristics including age, race, and ethnicity can all affect survival rates. The 5-year survival rate for White women is 71%. The 5-year survival rate for Black women is 58 percent. The 5-year survival rate for White women under 50 is 79 percent. The 5-year survival rate is 39% for Black women 65 and older.
The stage of cervical cancer at the time of diagnosis affects survival chances as well. The 5-year survival rate for people with invasive cervical cancer is 92% when it is found early. Nearly 44% of cervical cancer patients have an early diagnosis. The 5-year survival rate is 58 percent if cervical cancer has progressed to the local lymph nodes, nearby tissues, or organs. The 5-year survival rate is 18% if the cancer has progressed to a distant area of the body.
It’s critical to keep in mind that statistics on cervical cancer survivorship rates are estimates. The estimate is based on annual data on the number of Americans who have this cancer. Additionally, every five years, experts measure the survival rates. This means that the estimate might not account for improvements in cervical cancer diagnosis or treatment over the previous five years. If you have any questions concerning this material, consult your doctor. Find out more about how to comprehend statistics.
Statistics taken from the websites of the American Cancer Society (ACS), the International Agency for Research on Cancer, and their publications Cancer Facts & Figures 2022, 2020, and 2018, respectively. (Accessed January 2022 for all sources.)
What is June Awareness Month?
Cataract Awareness Month is in June. An eye cataract is a clouding of the lens that prevents or alters light from entering the eye.
Is the HPV vaccine just for women?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has authorized the HPV vaccine Gardasil 9, which is suitable for both girls and boys. If given before girls or women are exposed to the virus, this vaccination can prevent the majority of cases of cervical cancer.
The most prevalent cancers are represented by the following colors:
- White Lung Cancer
- gray brain cancer
- Pink breast cancer
- Emerald-green liver cancer
- Lime green: lymphoma
- Cancer of the prostate: pale blue
- Cancer of the stomach: periwinkle blue
- the color yellow
- Dark blue: colon cancer
However, there are still more on the list, and some tumors even have a common color. The color orange stands for leukemia and kidney cancer. Green denotes cancers of the liver, lymphoma, and gallbladder. Purple hues stand for esophageal, stomach, testicular, leiomyosarcoma, pancreatic, and Hodgkin lymphoma cancers.
Some advocates believe that this tsunami of wristbands, keychains, and coffee cups that resembles tie-dye may further muddle the focus on certain illnesses.
Think about prostate and colorectal cancer. Brown ribbons were originally worn by supporters of colorectal cancer until they transitioned to dark blue. While doing so, those promoting awareness of prostate cancer employ light blue The Prostate Cancer Foundation publishes the precise mathematical formula for a shade that is so accurate.
Thomas N. Kirk, president and CEO of Us TOO, which offers educational materials, services, and 300 volunteer-led support groups for persons with prostate cancer, said throughout the years that marketing experts have told him that the blue is confusing to people because they don’t know what it represents.
According to Kirk, the light blue hue associated with prostate cancer and the teal color of ovarian cancer are quite similar. Prostate cancer and ovarian cancer share the same (awareness) month when buildings are lit up in September. Many times, when individuals notice a blue color, they assume it is either prostate cancer or ovarian cancer.
Green, purple, or red?
There are also certain types of blood malignancies. According to a group called the Lymphoma Club, lime green was adopted as the official color to support all lymphoma causes in 1999, and in 2001, Hodgkin lymphoma patient Matt Terry chose violet to symbolize his particular disease. In order to recognize all types of lymphoma, survivors of those illnesses combined the two hues in 2007, according to club members, into an awareness heart ribbon. However, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society started using red to symbolize all blood malignancies in 2009.
According to Andrea Greif, senior director of communications for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, there has never really been unanimity about which hue should symbolize which disease across the board and across many organizations.
… You’ll likely discover that several organizations use different colors to represent the same diseases; some could use green for lymphoma and gold for leukemia. Greif included in a message. We decided to stick with red for all types of blood cancer.
Gold, too? According to the American Childhood Cancer Organization, gold is a priceless medal and is thus the ideal hue to depict the most precious thing in our livesour children. It has also been used as a symbol for all childhood malignancies since 1997.
According to a USPTO representative, cancer advocacy organizations are not required to register their colors with the agency.
Some of these additional hues came from where and how? The techniques range from the warmth of a dining room to the formality of a boardroom.
Color theory
The Kidney Cancer Association changed from Kelly green, which at the time signified illnesses of the internal organs, as a result of color theory study done in 2005. According to the data, orange was a superior hue, and consumer testing confirmed this, according to Bill Bro, the association’s CEO and a cancer survivor. It aids in setting us apart from other, smaller charities that also have a similar purpose. They frequently stick to the color green.