Cervical Cancer begins in the cells of the cervix, the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina.
It usually develops slowly, starting with changes in cervical cells known as dysplasia, where abnormal cells appear. If these abnormal cells are not treated, they can become cancerous and spread deeper into the cervix and nearby areas.
Native women should always talk to a doctor or nurse about their individual risk and the best screening schedule for them. They should also get vaccinated against HPV if they are within the recommended age range.
Turquoise Thursday is a national cervical cancer awareness campaign created by AICAF for AI/AN communities and aims to increase awareness about the importance of cervical cancer screening and encourage all women to stay up to date on cancer screenings. We invite people of all ages to join us in raising awareness of cervical cancer in Indian country by wearing turquoise clothing and/or jewelry and sharing photos on social media using the hashtag #TurquoiseThursday. This is a national campaign on a digital platform so community members are welcome to participate from anywhere!
Support relatives across Indian Country by sharing Turquoise Thursday cervical cancer resources and screening opportunities.
Wear turquoise clothing and/or jewelry to raise awareness about cervical cancer screening and early detection in AI/AN communities. Invite friends, family, and coworkers at your organization or business to wear turquoise.
Share a picture of yourself wearing turquoise on social media and use the hashtag #TurquoiseThursday. Tell your friends and family about Turquoise Thursday.
Women should start screening at 21 years. Take the Turquoise Thursday Screening Pledge to discuss cervical cancer screening options with your healthcare provider. Schedule your next Pap test or HPV test.
People ages 9 to 26 years can prevent HPV-related cancers, like cervical cancer, by getting the HPV vaccine. Melissa Buffalo (Meskwaki), AICAF’s CEO, shared the story about how she talked with her daughter about the HPV vaccine. Learn more about the HPV vaccine at our resources page.
Engage with us the entire month of January as we share culturally tailored cervical cancer screening resources, toolkits, and webinars. Stay informed about cervical cancer, screening, and early detection. Register for our special webinar on Turquoise Thursday Day.
Read the cervical cancer stories from the AICAF Survivor Stories Series. This collection of stories centers experiences and wisdom of AI/AN cancer survivors to inspire people to be proactive about their health. Share these stories with the people in your life to lift up the importance of cervical health, screening, and early detection.
Like the American Indian Cancer Foundation on Facebook and Instagram, follow us on Twitter, and sign up for our newsletter.
Screen Our Circle is AICAF’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
It provides support to clinics and helps remove screening barriers by raising awareness of cancer burdens and solutions, promoting health systems changes, and performing community education and outreach activities. Program staff are committed to removing cancer screening barriers in every Native community, providing invaluable guidance and leadership to push the needle closer to health equity across Indian Country. To learn how to get your clinic involved in Screen Our Circle, please contact health@aicaf.org.
The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a common infection that can lead to a number of cancers. Most people come into contact with HPV at some point in their lives, especially since is passed through skin-to-skin contact. HPV can cause cervical, throat, penile, anal, and vulvar cancers – diseases that Native people are at higher risk for developing. Fortunately, HPV vaccine could prevent 90% of the types of HPV that cause cancer if following the recommended dosing schedule. The vaccine, which is taken in two or three doses, and recommended for routine vaccination at age 11 to 12 years and given up to 26 years of age. However, there are special circumstances to receive dosing earlier or later than the routine recommended schedule.
