By: CNW Group
21 October 2010
Young Canadian women are leaving themselves vulnerable to cervical cancer because they are unaware of the benefits of vaccination and feel the cost of the vaccine is prohibitive, according to a survey of young women and mothers released today.
Lack of Awareness
* 68% of young Canadian women between the ages of 18 and 25 have not received the cervical cancer vaccination because they do not know enough about it.
* 79% of young Canadian women between the ages of 18 and 25 say they would get a vaccine if it (the vaccine) was proven to prevent cancer.
Cost is Prohibitive
* 51% of young Canadian women between the ages of 18 and 25, who do not have a drug plan to help pay for the vaccination, say that cost is a significant barrier to getting the vaccine.
* 61% of moms, who do not have a drug plan to help pay for the vaccination, also claim cost to be a significant barrier to getting the vaccine for their daughters.
Recent survey results show nine out of ten young Canadian women between the ages of 18 and 25 have not been vaccinated against cervical cancer. The research is being released just before National Cervical Cancer Awareness Week (October 24 to 30, 2010).
“Young women are clearly not aware of how important it is to be vaccinated against this cancer,” said Dr. Joan Murphy, Head of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto, co-Chair of The Society of Gynecologic Oncology of Canada’s Communities of Practice in Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control. “Physicians, like myself, who see these cases every day know that vaccination alongside regular Pap screening offers strong protection against cervical cancer which can be deadly.”
“Prevention of cervical cancer through vaccination availability and education directed to young Canadian women is critical. Barriers such as cost needs to be addressed” expressed Dr. Deborah Hellyer, President of The Federation of Medical Women of Canada.
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