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Recognizing January as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month and honoring Angela “The Survivor Diva” Reese for her outstanding leadership with the Pennsylvania National Cervical Cancer Coalition - Northwest Philadelphia Chapter and her dedication to cervical cancer awareness and survivor advocacy.
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WHEREAS, Persistent infection with high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV) causes the overwhelming majority of cervical cancers, more than 95% of cases globally, and HPV remains one of the most common sexually transmitted infections in the United States, with tens of millions currently infected and approximately 13 million new infections each year; and
WHEREAS, The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2025 approximately 13,360 people in the United States will be diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer and about 4,320 will die from the disease, even as national age-adjusted rates of new cases and deaths continue a long-term but slowing decline; and
WHEREAS, Cervical cancer most often affects women in the prime of life and disproportionately impacts Black, Hispanic, Native American, and other communities of color, as well as people from low-income households who face barriers to preventive care and timely treatment; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia, while making progress in reducing overall poverty, still has roughly one in five residents living below the poverty line, and recent cancer surveillance data show that the City’s cervical cancer incidence rate is higher than both the statewide and national rates, reflecting lower screening rates and persistent inequities in access to care; and
WHEREAS, Most cervical cancers develop slowly and may have no early signs or symptoms, but are highly preventable and treatable when precancerous changes are detected through regular screening and followed by appropriate care; Pap tests and HPV tests are widely available in doctors’ offices and clinics, and many insurance plans cover these services without a copay, though people with low incomes or no insurance may not be able to access them; and
WHEREAS, Cervical cancer prevention rests on three proven pillars: HPV vaccination, regular screening, and effective follow-up treatment of precancerous lesions, and global health authorities have adopted ambitious targets to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem within the coming decades; and
WHEREAS, Angela ‘The Survivor Diva’ Reese, a fourteen-year cervical cancer survivor, has dedicated her life after cancer to promoting awareness, prevention, and stigma reduction, and provides leadership to the Pennsylvania National Cervical Cancer Coalition, Northwest Philadelphia Chapter with a special focus on high-burden communities in Northwest Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania National Cervical Cancer Coalition - NW Philadelphia Chapter has implemented sustained educational outreach and social media campaigns during January’s observance of Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, and has partnered with other chapters, medical experts, and community stakeholders to bring life-saving information about HPV vaccination, screening, and early treatment to communities in Philadelphia that are disproportionately affected by cervical cancer; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby, recognizes January as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month and commends the Pennsylvania National Cervical Cancer Coalition, Northwest Philadelphia Chapter and Angela ‘The Survivor Diva’ Reese for their work promoting awareness about cervical cancer. Philadelphia City Council encourages all our residents to recognize that cervical cancer is largely preventable, and to encourage and support the women in our lives in taking charge of their health by receiving HPV vaccination, obtaining regular screening, and following through with recommended care.
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