New Cervical Cancer Prevention Effort Advances

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) The trouble with preventing cervical cancer is that it is largely caused by a sexually transmitted disease known as human papillomavirus. There's now a vaccine for HPV, moral conservatives in Utah are hesitant to promote the vaccine for fear it sends a message other than abstinence to young women. And that's what Representative Karen Morgan is up against in her quest to get funding for cervical cancer prevention programs:

"I think it's important to not pass judgment as to how someone contracted HPV. Our job is to help every woman's life is precious and deserves to be saved, regardless of how she contracted the virus," says Morgan.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, over half of sexually active women and men are infected with HPV at some point in their lives.

Morgan had hoped for one-million dollars to promote the HPV vaccine and cover its costs for some Utah girls. Now she's gained approval for 25-thousand dollars to promote various cervical cancer prevention techniques - which include new pap smear technology for early detection. Her bill has 28 co-sponsors in the Utah House, but faces stiff opposition from more conservative lawmakers.

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