Miss USA, Siteman Cancer Center “Make the Connection” for Cervical Cancer Awareness

August 10, 2006, ST. LOUIS – In celebrating "Cervical Cancer Awareness Day," a beauty queen helped the Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine honor one of their own.

It was part of "Make the Connection," an event August 9 at St. Louis Union Station to promote cervical cancer awareness. Florissant native Shandi Finnessey, Miss USA 2004, presented the Siteman Cancer Center with a $10,000 donation toward education and screening of cancer in the underserved community on behalf of Nancy Tecu, RN, gyn/oncology nurse coordinator at Siteman.

The event recognized Tecu for encouraging women to contact their health care provider to get screened for cervical cancer and its cause, human papillomavirus (HPV).

As many as eight of 10 women who have sex will become infected with HPV in their lifetimes and although an HPV infection will clear on its own in most cases, for others, it can sometimes lead to cervical cancer.

"Taking action early is what''s most important," says Tecu. "The key to halting the possible progression of HPV to cervical cancer is to undergo regular Pap screening."

Those attending participated in a beading activity to create "Make the Connection" bracelets to advance cervical cancer education and promote Cervical Cancer Awareness Day. Awareness is essential for cervical cancer, as it''s the second-leading cancer killer in women.

"Women need to talk to their health care provider and get screened for early detection," says Janet Rader, MD, oncologist at Siteman who also spoke at the event.

Those most prone to developing infections of HPV are women ages 18 to 28.

"Five hundred thousand people are diagnosed each year with cervical cancer and over 280,000 die from it," Finnessey told the crowd. "Take it upon yourself to inform all of the women in your life of the ways of preventing this form of cancer."

The "Make the Connection" event was sponsored by the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation, Step Up Women''s Network and Merck & Co, Inc.

For more information about cervical cancer or for a free cancer awareness kit, call the Siteman Cancer Center at 800-600-3606.