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Vaccine, cervical cancer discussed For more information about the HPV vaccine and Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, visit the Wellness Wednesday booth from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 24 in the Children’s Hospital lobby.   Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a vaccine for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) for females 9 to 26 years of age to prevent cervical cancer caused by HPV.     Further, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices have recommended the use of the HPV vaccine. The CDC recommends regular cervical cancer screenings (Pap tests) for all women (starting within three years of when a woman begins sexual activity or at age 21, whichever comes first). In addition, CDC supports HPV vaccination for girls and women 9 to 26 years old. HPV vaccination for women aged 27 or older and pregnant women are not supported. All women receiving the HPV vaccine should continue to receive regular cervical cancer screenings (Pap tests) according to established screening recommendations. For more information, visit the CDC Web site at http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/STDFact-HPV-vaccine.htm#hpvvac1.     Two experts from MUSC will present the facts and dispel the rumors regarding this new breakthrough in medicine from 6 to 7 p.m. Jan. 24 at the East Cooper Women’s Center, second floor, 1280 Johnnie Dodds Blvd., Mount Pleasant. To register, call 792-1414.   Ashlyn Savage, M.D., Women’s Health at Cannon Place, and Laura Stickler, M.D., East Cooper Women’s Center, will discuss the administration of this new vaccine, and how it can prevent cervical cancer for many young women.   Weekly tips from the Healthy S.C. Challenge Healthy S.C. Challenge is a results-oriented initiative created by Gov. Mark Sanford and first lady Jenny Sanford to motivate people to start making choices that can improve health and well-being. Visit http://www.healthysc.gov. Nutrition Don't let the cold and flu season get you down. Laugh often. Laughter is a powerful tonic for the immune system. It has documented immune-enhancing effects. Editor's note: The preceding column was brought to you on behalf of Health 1st. Striving to bring various topics and representing numerous employee wellness organizations and committees on campus, this weekly column seeks to provide MUSC, MUHA and UMA employees with current and helpful information concerning all aspects of health. Friday, Jan. 19, 2007 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.