°Usted Puede Prevenir el Cáncer Cervical! - Raising Cervical Cancer Awareness among Latinas in Idaho

According to the Cancer Disparities in Idaho Report, published by the Cancer Data Registry of Idaho in May 2007, Hispanic women in Idaho have low Pap test screening rates. In 2006, Idaho had the second lowest rate of Pap test utilization in the U.S. and compared to other racial/ethnic groups, Hispanic women in Idaho had the highest rates of late stage cervical cancer. In 2007, the Idaho Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System found that 18.2% of Hispanic students (9-12 grades) were age 13 or younger when they had sexual intercourse for the first time, compared to 7.4% of Non-Hispanic students (9-12 grades). This is alarming because the majority of cervical cancer cases globally can be attributed to the human papilloma virus (HPV) and early age at first intercourse is a risk factor that may correlate to the risk of HPV infection.

In January 2008 the Comprehensive Cancer Alliance for Idaho (CCAI) Cervical Task Group convened a group of partners to develop an education campaign to raise awareness of cervical cancer screenings and prevention among Hispanic/Latina women. °Usted Puede Prevenir el Cáncer Cervical! public education campaign used radio and print media to highlight key screening and prevention messages, and to promote the 2-1-1 Idaho Careline and the National Cancer Institute's 1-800-4-CANCER for more information and referrals to screening through the Women's Health Check program.

The campaign was evaluated in September 2008. Evaluation results, lessons learned, and dissemination results will be highlighted.