ACR 11- Cervical Cancer Screening and Awareness Month
(SACRAMENTO, CA) Yesterday, Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella) was proud to Coauthor ACR 11 - Cervical Cancer Screening and Awareness Month.
This resolution introduced by Assembly Members Katherine Baker (R-San Ramon) and Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens) designates that every month of January will be observed as Cervical Cancer Screening and Awareness Month in the State of California.
The measure was designed to encourage all Californians, as well as the State Department of Public Health and the State Department of Health Care Services, to promote education and screenings for cervical cancer.
“I am a proud coauthor of this cervical cancer lifesaving awareness measure. At one time cervical cancer was one of the leading causes of death for women in this country. This is decreasing due to regular prevention screenings,” stated Assemblymember Garcia.
The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force recommends regular screenings for cervical cancer. Women ages 21 to 65 are recommended to take a Pap smear test every 3 years and women between 30 to 65 years of age should do a combination of Pap smear and human papillomavirus (HPV) testing every 5 years.
In California cervical cancer screening rates are well below the national average. “Our state must do more,” asserted Assemblymember Garcia. “Educational outreach efforts are crucial to detecting this disease at an early and beatable stage. Women of color are more likely to be diagnosed with HPV-associated cervical cancer. That is why I am advocating for increased accessibility to healthcare services in my district.”
“I strongly encourage residents, and families to make health their number one priority,” advocated Assemblymember Garcia. “It is my pleasure to serve and help the community identify available local resources. Please call my district offices for help locating a clinic or screening facility near you.”
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Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella) serves as the as the chairperson of the Assembly Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife. He represents the 56th district, which comprises the cities and communities of Blythe, Brawley, Bermuda Dunes, Calexico, Calipatria, Cathedral City, Coachella, Desert Hot Springs, El Centro, Holtville, Imperial, Indio, Mecca, Oasis, North Shore, Salton Sea, Thermal, Thousand Palms, and Westmorland.
