Resolution recognizing January as Cervical Health Awareness Month in New York City.

By The Speaker (Council Member Mark-Viverito) and Council Members Cumbo, Johnson, Constantinides, Eugene, Gentile, Gibson, Koo, Lander, Levine, Mendez, Richards, Rose, Wills, Crowley, Kallos, Cohen, Rodriguez, Cornegy, Williams and Ulrich

Whereas, The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are responsible for nearly all cervical cancers; and

Whereas, The National Cervical Cancer Coalition (NCCC) finds that approximately 14 million new cases of sexually transmitted HPV occur in the United States each year; and

Whereas, The NCCC estimates that 70 percent of women and men will come into contact with HPV during their life; and

Whereas, According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HPV usually resolves itself within two years; and

Whereas, However, certain types of HPV do not resolve themselves and can cause genital warts, cervical cancer, anal cancer, vaginal cancer, vulvar cancer, penile cancer, and oropharyngeal cancer; and

Whereas, Cervical cancer is the most common HPV-associated cancer; and

Whereas, The CDC estimates that about 10,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with cervical cancer annually and approximately 4,000 women die each year of cervical cancer; and

Whereas, According to ACS, cervical cancer and pre-cancer can be a risk factor for anal cancer; and

Whereas, Cervical cancer is highly preventable because screening tests and a vaccine to prevent HPV infections are available; and

Whereas, Abnormal cell changes on the cervix caused by HPV can be detected through a Pap test; and

Whereas, When cervical cancer is found early, it is highly treatable and associated with long-term survival; and

Whereas, Being vaccinated before exposure to HPV helps protect women against cervical cancer and the precancerous lesions that precede it; and

Whereas, The CDC recommends the HPV vaccine for girls and boys at age 11 or 12 years to allow time to develop an immune response before becoming sexually active; and

Whereas, According to the ACS, cervical cancer was once one of the most common causes of cancer death for American women; and

Whereas, The cervical cancer death rate has gone down by more than 50 percent over the last 30 years mostly due to increased screenings; and

Whereas, Lives can be saved by increasing awareness of vaccination and screening; and

Whereas, In 2010, the United States Congress recognized January as National Cervical Health Awareness Month; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York recognizes January as Cervical Health Awareness Month in New York City.

LS 2768

1/13/15