In 2004, Women In Government launched its Challenge to Eliminate Cervical Cancer Campaign, to raise awareness about cervical cancer and human papillomavirus, HPV. The organization applauded the FDA approval of Gardasil, the first cervical cancer vaccine, for girls and women between the ages of 9 and 26. To guarantee that all girls and women have access to the new cervical cancer vaccine, they are urging the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices to include the new cervical cancer vaccine in the federal government's Vaccines for Children Program, which provides free immunization for under-insured and uninsured children. Women In Government president Susan Crosby stresses the continued importance of annual pap tests and screening in the early detection of cervical cancer caused by HPV in women who have already been exposed to the virus.
