An astounding number, approximately 20 million people, are currently infected with HPV. There are up to 6.2 million new genital HPV infections each year. Four viral types are accountable for 90 percent of genital warts and 70 percent of cervical cancer. Sadly the incidence of cervical cancer among African American and Hispanic women is approximately 1.5 times higher than in Caucasian women. In general, women born outside of the United States have much higher mortality rates from cervical cancer than U.S. born women. According to the American Cancer Society there will be nearly 4,000 deaths from cervical cancer this year. Approximately 50 percent of that 4,000 have never even had one Pap test.

 Now there is new hope on the forefront of HPV prevention with the newly available HPV vaccine as well as recently available HPV screening tests. The new HPV vaccine has opened the door for new discussions, awareness, and education between provider and patient. It is an exciting time in medicine to be able to directly affect patient outcome and quality of life. The time for communication is now.

 In April 2006 the California Medical Association (CMA) Foundation initiated a statewide awareness program addressing the connection between cervical cancer and the human papilloma virus. With physicians and other health care providers in mind, the CMA Foundation and its advisory committee composed of representatives from obstetrics & gynecology, adult medicine, pediatrics, adolescent medicine, family medicine, pharmacy, and public health have identified a number of excellent resources to assist you and your patients in locating the most up-to-date and useful resources for patient education, provider information, and continuing medical education.

 Make the connection everyday–Take Time to Talk–With proper understanding and follow-up care, cervical cancer could eventually become a disease of the past.