Cervical Health: Prevention, Support, and Working Towards Elimination

By Your Health Magazine

Your Health Magazine

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Cervical Health: Prevention, Support, and Working Towards Elimination

January is Cervical Health Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to understand this important but often overlooked part of women’s anatomy. The cervix is the narrow, lower part of a woman’s uterus, connecting to the vagina. Its health impacts menstruation, fertility, pregnancy, and more.

Cervical Cancer: A Global Concern

A significant threat to cervical health is cervical cancer, primarily caused by sexually-transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV). Shockingly, more than 90% of men and 80% of women will contract HPV in their lifetime. While most infections clear naturally, cervical cancer persists. In 2023, the American Cancer Society estimates 13,960 new cases and 4,310 deaths in the U.S. alone.

Empowering Survivorship: KickIt Pajamas Takes the Lead

For those diagnosed, the physical and emotional journey can be extremely difficult. Cindy Trice, an advanced cervical cancer survivor, recalls feeling dehumanized wearing an uncomfortable and immodest hospital gown during chemotherapy and radiation treatments. A friend gifted her comfortable, stylish pajamas that greatly improved her experience; however, it lacked the necessary access for medical staff to treat her while staying properly and  modestly  dressed. 

Inspired by her experience, Cindy co-founded KickIt Pajamas, a company disrupting the hospital apparel cultural norm by designing stylish, comfortable, and functional clothing to empower cancer patients.  She says “It’s not about vanity, it’s about making patients look better so they can feel better.” Distinctive features include: 

• Our Hospital Pajamas and Hospital Gowns feature snap sleeves from wrist-through-collar for easy medical access (IVs, chemo ports) and other needs of one’s medical team.  A product far superior to traditional hospital gowns.
• All of our hospital and home recoverywear have reinforced internal pockets for drainage bulbs and other medical devices and are made of a buttery-soft modal fabric that is also eco friendly, breathable and moisture wicking, which is essential for cancer patients.
• Our Hospital and Home Recovery Pajamas pants feature a waistband that can be worn high rise or low rise to fit the patient’s comfort and accommodate surgical wounds. 
• Our KickIt Cape is designed to be the ultimate cover up item while in the hospital or in chemotherapy.  With large single underarm buttons, patients can put this on or take this off while attached to an IV line or chemo. The interior is a luxurious fleece.
• Our Chemo Scarf is soft and thick for ultimate warmth.  It is also intentionally on the longer side with large reinforced pockets to keep your hands warm (or hold accessories like your phone)
• Our Hospital Socks have a fleece interior for a warm and cozy feel and feature silicon grip bottoms for slippery treatment center floors

Empowering Survivorship

Progress against cervical cancer is possible through increased awareness, prevention, and support systems. The World Health Organization has set a goal to eliminate cervical cancer this century. We all must do our part – get informed, get screened, support each other. Access to care is crucial and many have found screening support through the CDC’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP).

To help kick cancer off the planet, KickIt Pajamas donates a portion of all sales to organizations like Cervivor, which supports cervical cancer patients. 

If you know someone recently diagnosed, provide comfort through gifts, assistance, and emotional support. Make sure to consider useful gifts, as many typical go-to gifts, like flowers, may actually be anything but helpful.