In the News

By Diana Gonzalez

Marjorie Evans is the CEO of Broward Children’s Center, which provides care for kids with special needs. They were a source of motivation when Marjorie was diagnosed with cervical cancer three years ago.

“It came to light through a Pap smear. I had, I was in the bathroom. I noticed some blood and I called my doctor and I said something’s wrong,said Evans.

The American Cancer Society estimates 12,170 new cases of invasive cervical cancer will be diagnosed this year and a total of 4,220 women will die from this disease.

“Between 60 and 80 percent of women who are diagnosed with advanced cervical cancer have not had a Pap test in the past 5 years,” said Dr. Paula Thaqi, director of the Broward County Health Department.

On Thursday Evans also joined Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz to focus attention on prevention and the need for regular screening.

“I was getting Pap smears once a year and then the private insurance made us go every two years and so I skipped a year and that’s when the cancer occurred,” said Evans.

The American Cancer Society recommends starting annual Pap smears no later than age 21. After three normal test results in a row the recommendation changes to every two to three years if you’re at average risk and have no symptoms.

Wasserman Schultz took a tour of the public health center, where free screenings for women are available through the Florida Breast and Cervical Cancer early detection program. Also free HPV vaccines are available for kids under the age of 19. They protect against the virus linked to cervical cancer.

“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended the vaccine be administered routinely at age 11 or 12. And I can assure you that it’s safe and effective because my 12-year-old daughter just had her second round of vaccine” said Wasserman Schultz.

The vaccine is also recommended for boys and she plans on having her son vaccinated as well.