Too many women in the U.S. and abroad are still getting cervical cancer and are still dying from this disease. In the United States, an estimated 11,150 cases of cervical cancer and 3,670 related deaths occur annually, according to the American Cancer Society. Worldwide, cervical cancer affects more than 470,000 women each year, killing in excess of 230,000. After breast cancer, cervical cancer is the second–most–common type of cancer affecting women worldwide today.

Visit our HPV education site for women: www.theHPVtest.com

Resources: Go to www.theHPVtest.com to learn more about HPV, cervical cancer and risk screening. Frequently Asked Questions About HPV Frequently Asked Questions About Cervical Cancer HPV and Cervical Cancer: Myths vs. Facts "Protect Yourself Against Cervical Cancer" educational brochure

Cervical cancer is one of the few types of cancers that can actually be prevented. Prevention of cervical cancer is possible by finding out if you have a virus called the Human Papilloma (pronounced "pap–ah–LO–mah") virus, or HPV. Certain "high–risk" types of HPV are now known to cause most cases of cervical cancer.

In the past, doctors have relied on the Pap test to determine who is at risk for cervical cancer. The Pap test looks for abnormal cells in the cervix that are caused by HPV. If these abnormal cells are found early, they can be treated before they turn into cancer. Thanks to the Pap, the number of women who develop cervical cancer has decreased dramatically.

The Pap test is not foolproof, however, since it cannot detect HPV directly. When the Pap test is done by itself, abnormal cells may be missed or may not be seen early enough to prevent cervical cancer.

Good news! You now can have another test along with your Pap that determines if you have HPV. The Digene^® HPV Test* is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It uses advanced technology to detect the genetic (DNA) code of HPV. If you are age 30 or over (when cervical cancer is most likely to occur), it's recommended that you have the HPV test along with a Pap, to increase your doctor's ability to protect you against cervical cancer. If you are under 30, your doctor may order an HPV test if your Pap result is unclear or abnormal.

Click here for full medical and technical information on The Digene HPV Test.

Take control of your cervical cancer risk. Learn more about HPV by visiting www.theHPVtest.com. Then, ask your doctor for the HPV test at your next visit.

"I have been practicing for 26 years and always welcome when my patients take initiative in their own health care by being informed and asking questions. In addition to asking her provider for an HPV test if her Pap is uncertain, every woman should become educated about HPV so that she understands exactly what her test results mean. Providers should explain HPV and the HPV test to women, but if they don't, women should be prepared to share what they have learned and ask questions."

Nancy R. Berman, MSN Nurse Practitioner in Women's Health Millennium Medical Group Southfield, MI

"Why would a woman not want the best tests available? The HPV test can tell with almost 100 percent certainty whether or not a woman with an inconclusive Pap result needs additional evaluation. It just makes sense that HPV testing should be part of cervical cancer screening. If a woman's doctor isn't offering it, she should ask why."

Bradley J. Monk, MD Associate Professor, Gynecologic Oncology University of California–Irvine

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* "The Digene HPV Test" was approved by the US FDA and is also known to laboratories and physicians as the "hc2 High–Risk HPV DNA Test^®" and "DNAwithPap^® Test." This does not refer to the product that tests for several types of the virus commonly referred to as "low–risk HPV," which are not associated with cervical cancer.