Inside Knowledge Campaign

The Inside Knowledge: Get the Facts About Gynecologic Cancer campaign raises awareness of the five main types of gynecologic cancer: cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, and vulvar. It encourages women to pay attention to their bodies and know what is normal for them, so they can recognize the warning signs of gynecologic cancers and seek medical care. When gynecologic cancers are found early, treatment is most effective.

"Be Brave. Ask Questions."

The newest Inside Knowledge public service announcements (PSAs) feature Jenny Allen, a mother, writer, and performer. She has performed her one-woman play, "I Got Sick Then I Got Better" in New York City and many other cities around the country. In the Inside Knowledge television, print, and radio PSAs, Ms. Allen encourages women to see a doctor if they have symptoms that are not normal for them and last two weeks or longer. She movingly tells her personal story of how she noticed symptoms, learned she had both uterine and ovarian cancers, and received treatment. She tells women, "Be brave. Ask questions. Chances are you don't have cancer, but find out for sure."

You can also go behind the scenes at the filming of the campaign's PSAs for a special CDC Web exclusive with Jenny Allen.

New Campaign Materials

Inside Knowledge has created a suite of materials materials in English and Spanish for patients and health care providers. Fact sheets, a symptoms diary, [PDF-503KB] and posters on the five most common gynecologic cancers can be viewed, printed, and ordered online.

Television Television and radio radio PSAs can be viewed and heard online; transcripts are available.

The newest materials from Inside Knowledge include a Symptoms Diary Wallet Card [PDF-830KB] that allows women to track symptoms, even when they are on the go, and a comprehensive brochure [PDF-2.9MB] that includes detailed information about each of the gynecologic cancers and discusses signs, symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment.

Personal Survivor Stories

Each year in the United States, about 83,000 women are diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer. Recent estimates from the National Cancer Institute show that more than 1 million American women were alive with a history of gynecologic cancer as of January 1, 2009.

Data source: Howlader N, Noone AM, Krapcho M, Neyman N, Aminou R, Altekruse SF, Kosary CL, Ruhl J, Tatalovich Z, Cho H, Mariotto A, Eisner MP, Lewis DR, Chen HS, Feuer EJ, Cronin KA (eds). SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1975–2009 (Vintage 2009 Populations), National Cancer Institute. Bethesda, MD, http://seer.cancer.gov/csr/1975_2009_pops09/, based on November 2011 SEER data submission, posted to the SEER Web site, April 2012.

A new Inside Knowledge Web site featureWeb site feature focuses on women who have survived gynecologic cancer. Four women share their personal experience of being diagnosed with and treated for gynecologic cancers. Each has important advice for other women.

Read about—

• Debbie, an ovarian cancer survivor.
• Eileen, a cervical and uterine cancer survivor.
• Geraldine, a cervical cancer survivor.
• Tamika, a cervical cancer survivor.

About the Campaign

Inside Knowledge supports the Gynecologic Cancer Education and Awareness Act of 2005, or Johanna's Law. [PDF-49KB] The law is named for Johanna Silver Gordon, who died of ovarian cancer in 2000. Johanna's sister, Sheryl Silver, originated the legislation in 2002 and, with the support of numerous nonprofit organizations, helped ensure its passage. The campaign's target audiences include women and health professionals. Learn more about the development of Inside Knowledge. [PDF-2.2MB] You can also see the campaign's major highlights, milestones, and activities [PDF-1.8MB] accomplished in 2012.