Monday 21 June 2010
A group of local school students have turned their hand to acting as part of the fight against cervical cancer.
The students appear in a new DVD - Join the Fight Against Cervical Cancer - which spreads the word about the importance of vaccination against Human Papillomavirus (HPV), and has been distributed to middle schools and remote health centres across the NT.
The HPV Vaccine Program Coordinator at the NT Centre for Disease Control, Sharron Murray, says the DVD is a terrific resource for teachers and young women alike.
"Join the Fight Against Cervical Cancer covers essential issues for discussion with young people about cervical cancer, outlining crucial messages about protection against the disease.
"It reinforces the message that receiving the HPV vaccine and having regular Pap smears are the best weapons in the fight against cervical cancer," Ms Murray said.
Human Papillomavirus is a common virus that can cause cervical cancer and genital warts. Every year more than 800 Australian women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and about 220 die from it.
"HPV infection is usually acquired before women are 25 years old, so it is very important that young women in the NT are well informed about the virus and urged to receive the vaccine," Ms Murray said.
"To be fully protected, girls need to have three doses of the HPV vaccine over a six-month period. It's also important for women over the age of 18 to have regular Pap smears, whether they have had the vaccine or not.
"What is really terrific about Join the Fight was the involvement of students from NT Middle Schools, who gave their time voluntarily to act in it. The DVD is a great tribute to all the Territorians involved in the production."
The Join the Fight Against Cervical Cancer DVD was designed for girls in Year 7 and can be used within the Northern Territory Curriculum Framework (NTCF) Health and Physical Education Learning area.
The HPV vaccine is included in the annual school-based vaccination program for all girls in Year 7.
For further information on the HPV vaccination and to view the DVD please visit:
Media Contact: Jasmine Featherstone 0401 116 144
