Every year over 14,000 cases of cervical cancer will be diagnosed and over 4,000 people will die from cervical cancer in the United States alone. Cervical cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer death for women, and as such, the US Congress has designated January as Cervical Health Awareness Month. Globally, over 500,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year, making it the fourth most common cancer in women. Many international organizations are taking on the fight against cervical cancer by developing and promoting medical technology to eradicate it...

1. Cervical Health Awareness Month
By: Madison Wheeler
Every year over 14,000 cases of cervical cancer will be diagnosed and over 4,000 people will die
from cervicalcancerintheUnitedStates alone.1 Cervicalcancerisone ofthe mostcommoncauses
of cancer death for women, and as such, the US Congress has designated January as Cervical
HealthAwarenessMonth.Globally,over500,000womenarediagnosedwith cervicalcancereach
year, making it the fourth most common cancer in women. Many international organizations are
taking on the fight against cervical cancer by developing and promoting medical technology to
eradicate it.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 99% of all cervical cancer cases are linked
to infection with high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPV).2 Given this statistic, many
international organizations go to HPV vaccines as the first line of defense against cervical cancer.
In the United States, the FDA approved Gardasil in 2006 as the first HPV vaccine. In 2014, the
FDA approved Gardasil 9, which covered the same four HPV types as Gardasil, plus an additional
fiveHPV types. In2018, theFDA approved the expandeduse of the vaccinetoincludewomenand
men aged 27 through 45 years, based on a review of safety and efficacy data.3 Globally, there has
been a push to vaccinate as many individuals against HPV as possible, with the intent to prevent
cervical cancer completely.
In addition to the HPV vaccine, secondary prevention approaches should also be utilized. The
mostcommonform ofcervicalcancerscreening isthe Papsmeartest, which looksfor cell changes
onthe cervix thatcouldbecomecervicalcancer.Additionally,HPVtests candetect theviruswhich
may ultimately cause the same precancerous cell changes. In recent years, advances have been
made for the pap test which allows individuals to use a self-collection pap test system instead of
seeing their doctor for a conventional pap smear. This type of pap test system is regulated as a
Class III device, while conventional pap smear devices are Class II.4
Luckily, when detected early, cervical cancer is one of the most treatable forms of cancer. As a
certified Women’s Business Enterprise through the Women’s Business Enterprise National
Council (WBENC), EMMA International is passionate about global women’s health initiatives.
We support and applaud international organizations who are working towards eliminating
cervical cancer, especially in low and middle-income countries where many women lack access to
adequatehealthservices.EMMAInternationalassistsfirmsacrossthe life-sciencesindustry bring
their products to market, call us at 248-987-4497 or email info@emmainternational.com to learn
more about how we can help.
1 American Cancer Society (Jan 2021) Key Statistics for CervicalCancer retrieved on 01/17/2021 from: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cervical-
cancer/about/key-statistics.html
2 WHO (n.d.) Cervical Cancer retrievedon 01/17/2021 from: https://www.who.int/health-topics/cervical-cancer#tab=tab_1
3 FDA(Oct 2018) FDAApproves Expanded UseofGardasil 9to IncludeIndividuals 27through 45 years oldretrieved on01/17/2021 from:
https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-expanded-use-gardasil-9-include-individuals-27-through-45-years-old
4 FDA, St. Pierre (Jan 2018) SelfCollection Devices for Pap Test [pptpresentation]retrieved on01/17/2021from:
https://www.fda.gov/media/110292/download