Gov. Eric Holcomb today signed into law State Reps. Holli Sullivan (R-Evansville) and Wendy McNamara’s (R-Evansville) bill to reduce the number of cervical cancer deaths in Indiana.
According to the Indiana Cancer Consortium, approximately 250 new cervical cancer cases and 86 cervical cancer-related deaths occur annually among women in Indiana. House Enrolled Act 1278 requires the Indiana State Department of Health to develop a statewide strategic plan to decrease Indiana’s cervical cancer mortality rate. The state would work to identify barriers to cervical cancer prevention, screening and treatment, develop public and private partnerships to increase cervical cancer awareness and recommend actions to reduce the number of Hoosier deaths associated with the disease.
“It is imperative we take the necessary steps to reduce the amount of women who are diagnosed with cervical cancer in Indiana,†McNamara said. “Raising awareness about this very preventable disease will help inform women and avoid unnecessary deaths as a result of cervical cancer.â€
The new law requires ISDH to submit a report outlining their plan to the governor and General Assembly by Dec. 31, 2018.
“Prevention and early detection are key to successful treatment of cervical cancer,†Sullivan said. “We will be creating a plan, with the help of ISDH and the medical community, to educate women in Indiana about the signs and symptoms of cervical cancer, along with raising awareness about prevention.â€
