#CCAM16 Recap

Wow, I set out to publish a blog post for Cervical Cancer Awareness Month every day of the month.  Thirty-one blog posts!  It was quite an undertaking but I think I pulled it off pretty successfully!  

I wrapped up this month at an amazing Cervivor School graduating ceremony for new Cervivor Ambassadors in South Carolina.  I shared that my favorite experience from the weekend was getting to witness a fellow Cervivor Ambassador sister, who is new to the organization, spreading awareness and advocating with factual and accurate information while spending time together on Saturday night.  Tamika has created such an amazing platform, Cervivor, to educate and train advocates in the effort to eradicate cervical cancer.

Today I would like to do two things:  first, I would like to challenge you and second, I would like to recap the information we heard about this month:

First thing is first - a few challenges for you:  

• If you are a female, I challenge you to schedule your annual well woman exam.
• If you are a male, I challenge you to talk to at least one female who is important to you and ensure she has scheduled her annual well woman exam.
• If you are a male or female and you are below the age of 26 and have not received the HPV vaccine, I urge you to speak to your healthcare provider.  You must have received all three shots in order for it to be most effective, if you didn't receive all three shots you don't have to start over!  Please remember, there are three different vaccines commercially available in the United States, however, the most comprehensive vaccine available protects against HPV strands 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 48, and 52, protecting against the types of HPV that cause 90% of genital warts and 90% of HPV-related cancers.  This vaccine also covers the strands which are known to cause penile, anal, oral, and vulvar cancers.
• If you are a parent, do your research and help prevent future cases of HPV related cancer.  Speak to your healthcare provider about getting the vaccine for your sons and daughters.  If you have any questions I can help direct you to factual evidence regarding this vaccine.  Feel free to comment and/or contact me via email. 

Secondly, lets do a quick recap of the information we heard about this month:

1 - #CCAM Kick Off
2 - Recap:  My Story
3 - Cervical Cancer:  What is it anyway?
4 - Results Day!
5 - Impacting Friends:  No One Fights Alone
6 - Well Woman Exam
7 - Advocacy in the News
8 - Eyes of Another:  Co-worker, Friend, and Cancer Supporter
9 - Cervivor School Hoosier:  Are you ready?
10 - Understanding Basic Test Results
11 - College Friend to Cancer Support
12 - Shout Out:  Support is Key
13 - Abnormal Pap...Questions to Ask
14 - Top Ten Symptoms to Remember
15 - Your Story Matters
16 - Cervivor School Hoosier
17 - Cervivor Fundraiser:  Uno Pizzeria & Grill
18 - The Port
19 - Princess Power
20 - My Mother's Eyes
21 - 1,000 Words
22 - Join Us:  SYL @ Butler
23 - Tears, Anger, & Love: My Sister's Perspective
24 - HPV Myths Busted!
25 - Cancer Support Comes In Many Forms - A Friend's Perspective
26 - Are you pregnant?
27 - Preventing Cancer:  The HPV Vaccine Myths Busted
28 - Cancer, Infertility, and Family - A Husband's Story
29 - Attitude is Everything
30 - Cervical Cancer:  My Photo Story
31 - #CCAM Recap!

I hope that this month has helped you to better understand information related to cervical cancer awareness and I look forward to the rest of the year being fabulous!  Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions.  Check out Cervivor's new website too!  If you are a cervical cancer patient or survivor please submit your story to Cervivor.

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