Viewpoint: Open, honest discussions about sexual health can save lives
January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. Each year, Hoosier women make up roughly 278 of the 13,000 cases diagnosed nationwide. Though cervical cancer is a highly preventable disease, prevention requires an understanding of what medical care is available and the causes of the disease. In the case of cervical cancer, the human papillomavirus virus, commonly known as HPV, is the main culprit. While most women who contract HPV will never develop cervical cancer, everyone should be aware of their risk factors for the disease.
The most effective ways to prevent cervical cancer are routine screenings — known as Pap smears and HPV tests —and vaccinating children against the strains of HPV known to cause cervical cancer. Getting vaccinated and regular testing starts with understanding one's body and knowing what steps to take to protect your health.
Before becoming a state representative, I worked as the Public Policy Director for Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky for 17 years. During that time, I met countless women shocked to discover they had contracted a sexually transmitted infection. Ignorance regarding their bodies, their overall health and sex contributed to these outcomes.
Throughout my time in the legislature, I've authored several bills to encourage comprehensive, age appropriate and medically accurate sexual education in Indiana schools. This year, I've introduced House Bill 1066, which would require any information that's taught in a sexual education class to be comprehensive, age-appropriate and medically accurate. This is absolutely critical for Indiana students.
Currently, the only requirement for sexual education courses is that students are taught about HIV and that abstinence until marriage is the only way to fully prevent pregnancy and STI's. While abstinence ought to be taught as the only fool-proof way to avoid these issues, it is naïve of us to believe that no teenager will engage in sexual activity. We have an obligation to provide our teenagers with all the information they need to protect themselves and others. This includes information on how to prevent pregnancy and STIs, as well as understanding the symptoms of STIs and how to get tested. It is also crucial to know there will often be no noticeable symptoms of STIs in women. Making sure that they are aware of the importance of regular testing and Pap smears is the most effective way to detect and treat STIs.
Cervical Cancer Awareness Month is a reminder that open and honest discussions about sexual health can help prevent this disease and others. Since 2006, vaccinations against HPV have helped prevent countless individuals from contracting the strains which are known to cause cervical cancer. The vaccine is recommended to both girls and boys before they are sexually active; ideally between the ages of 9 to 12. HPV is so contagious that roughly 85% of people who are sexually active will contract the virus in their lifetime. We have an obligation to protect our children and teens to the best of our ability. This includes vaccinating them to protect against devastating — and preventable — diseases.
Maintaining sexual health is a critical component to maintaining one's overall health. We have to ensure that young Hoosiers are equipped with everything they need to know at the appropriate ages about their bodies and reproductive systems. The more that people know about their bodies, risk factors, pregnancy prevention and symptoms of STIs, the more likely they are to be proactive in receiving tests and treatment. In some cases, being proactive can quite literally save someone's life.
State Rep. Sue Errington (D-Muncie) represents Indiana's 34th House District.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Rep. Sue Errington advocates for age-appropirate sex education in schools.
