House Republican Press Release

January 16, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

REP. HOVEY: STATE MUST DO MORE TO PREVENT CERVICAL CANCER

Area Legislator Notes Third Annual State-by-State Report On Disease

Shows Room For Improvement in Connecticut

Hartford, Conn. --- January 16, 2007 --- A national report released today shows that Connecticut is doing a ”Very Good” job, but still has significant room to improve in its efforts against cervical cancer, said State Rep. DebraLee Hovey (R-Monroe, Newtown). According to the third annual report, “Partnering for Progress 2007: the ‘State’ of Cervical Cancer Prevention in America,” issued by Women In Government, Connecticut scored 72% out of a possible 100%. This marks an improvement from last year, when it received a grade of “Good” and a score of 63%. Worldwide, cervical cancer is the second leading cancer-killer of women, with almost a quarter-million deaths each year. 

Women In Government is a national non-profit, bi-partisan organization of women state legislators providing leadership opportunities, networking, expert forums, and educational resources to address and resolve complex public policy issues. Rep. Hovey was recently elected treasurer of the organization.

According to the new report, Connecticut remains in the top-performing tier in terms of cervical cancer incidence, mortality and screening rates. However, the report points out that Hispanic women in the state are more than three times as likely to be diagnosed with cervical cancer as White women.

“Connecticut is making important strides in the fight against cervical cancer, but we must do more to protect women from this preventable disease,” said Rep. Hovey. “That is why I will support legislation to ensure that all women in the state are educated about this issue. With the availability of new technologies for use in screening, we have a real opportunity to eliminate cervical cancer.”

The new report looked at current data for each state on cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates; screening rates, including for low-income women; women’s access to screening using the most up-to-date technology, rates of uninsured women; and the legislative priority being put on this issue. Findings include:

· Connecticut’s incidence rate of cervical cancer is 6.8 per 100,000 women and its mortality rate is 1.8 per 100,000 women.

· 87.7% of Connecticut women have been screened for cervical cancer in the last three years.

· The state’s Medicaid program covers HPV testing – advanced technology, which screens for the cause of cervical cancer – along with a Pap test in routine screening of women age 30 and older.

“We are pleased to have Rep. Hovey’s support on this issue,” said Susan Crosby, president of Women In Government. “It is important for everyone to work together to create a positive environment for all women to receive the most advanced and appropriate preventive technologies regardless of their economic status. We can no longer accept substandard prevention and treatment for the underserved women of our country.”

For a copy of “Partnering for Progress 2007: the ‘State’ of Cervical Cancer Prevention in America,” please visit www.womeningovernment.org/prevention.