Whereas, Regular screening through the use of pap tests is the key to diagnosing and preventing deaths from cervical cancer; and,

Whereas, The human papillomavirus, or HPV, is a common sexually transmitted disease that is responsible for 70 percent of all cervical cancers; and,

Whereas, The Food and Drug Administration has recently approved a vaccine recommended for females ages 9-26 that prevents two strains of HPV; and,

Whereas, The Michigan Cancer Consortium recommends that women who have reached the age of 21 or who have been sexually active for three years should have a pap test every year; and,

Whereas, Women over the age of 30 and who have had three consecutive pap tests with normal results should get tested every two years; and,

Whereas, Participating medical providers and local health agencies can ensure that the highest quality of cervical cancer control services are available to all women in their communities; and,

Whereas, By calling 1-800-922-6266, women can obtain information and learn more about cervical cancer prevention through the Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program; and,

Now, Therefore, be it Resolved, That I, Jennifer Granholm, governor of the state of Michigan, do hereby declare January 2009 Cervical Cancer Awareness Month in Michigan. I encourage all citizens to learn more about this disease, to recognize the importance of cervical cancer screenings, and to urge other women to seek regular cervical cancer screening.