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QIAGEN Focuses New HPV Test Ad Campaign on Real-Life Story of Woman's Escape From Cervical Cancer

GERMANTOWN, Md., April 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Jodi McKinney, mother of five and wife of nearly 20 years, was recently diagnosed with cervical disease. Fortunately, she was able to be treated before it became cervical cancer -- thanks in part to her physician's decision to order an HPV test along with her Pap. Despite her initially normal Pap smear, the HPV test found that Jodi had a high-risk type of the human papillomavirus -- the primary cause of cervical cancer. Now, Jodi, her entire family and her physician are the focus of a new television campaign launched by QIAGEN to share what Jodi learned about cervical cancer prevention with other women across America. QIAGEN is the developer of the digene(R) HPV Test, the only FDA-approved test for HPV.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080410/AQTH092)

View the entire TV ad featuring Jodi McKinney and her family sharing the message about the importance of HPV testing: http://tinyurl.com/4owquc

The ad tells of the scare first experienced by Jodi, her husband Patrick and her five children, and of the happy ending that has allowed Jodi to tell her story today. It is now being broadcast in selected cities across the country. The TV ad can be viewed online as well.

    Jodi's Story:

    -- Read more about, or watch additional video of, Jodi and her physician
       as they share details of her family life, her medical history and the
       discovery of her cervical disease.
    -- Women can help spread the word about Jodi's story and her message to
       others by sending an e-card to friends and family members.


    The Facts about HPV:

    -- HPV is a common virus that infects the skin and mucous membranes.
    -- There are about 100 types of HPV. Approximately 30 of those are spread
       through genital contact (typically sexual intercourse). Around 13
       "high-risk" types of HPV can cause cervical cancer.
    -- It's estimated that 80 percent of women will get an HPV infection by
       the age of 50. Although most of those infections will clear up on their
       own, those that persist can cause abnormal cells that develop into
       cervical cancer if not treated early.
    -- Despite the many people it has helped, the Pap test fails to identify
       some women with cervical disease -- like Jodi.
    -- The digene HPV Test uses molecular diagnostic technology to detect the
       genetic "footprint" of the virus that causes abnormal cervical cells --
       HPV. It has been approved for use with a Pap for all women age 30 and
       over -- who are most at risk of developing cervical cancer.
    -- The new HPV vaccine does not provide complete protection, particularly
       for women who already have been exposed to HPV.
    -- According to a recent survey from the National Association of Nurse
       Practitioners in Women's Health (NPWH), many women are in the dark when
       it comes to cervical cancer prevention.
    -- Test your HPV knowledge with a myths/facts quiz!


    QUOTES:
    "I feel so fortunate that my doctor gave me the HPV test along with my
     Pap. Without that extra precaution, I probably wouldn't have found out
     about my condition until cancer had already developed." -- Jodi McKinney

    "The risk of cervical cancer is real for nearly every sexually active
     woman, and adding the HPV test to the Pap gives physicians and women more
     sensitive screening, earlier detection and greater peace of mind."
     -- Dr. Mamie Bowers, Jodi's gynecologist

    "A myth that exists about HPV and cervical cancer is that women don't
     think they need the HPV test if they've had normal Pap smears all their
     lives. However, the Pap isn't foolproof. It's still possible to suddenly
     discover you have invasive cancer despite a history of normal Paps.
     Getting the HPV test along with your Pap if you're over 30 -- when you
     are most at risk -- provides maximum peace of mind." -- Susan Wysocki,
     NP, president and CEO of the National Association of Nurse Practitioners
     in Women's Health.

    "Jodi and her family are courageous in their willingness to share their
     story with the country. She puts a real, human face on the data that show
     that cervical cancer can strike any woman, and that combining HPV testing
     with the Pap can save lives." -- Linda Alexander, PhD, Vice President of
     Women's Health, QIAGEN

About QIAGEN:

QIAGEN NV is the leading global provider of sample and assay technologies, with its global headquarters inthe Netherlands. Sample technologies are used to isolate and process DNA, RNA and proteins from biological samples such as blood or tissue, and assays make these isolated molecules visible to facilitate such vital activities as biological research and detection of disease. QIAGEN has developed and markets more than 500 products as well as instruments that make their use more efficient and accurate. The company provides its products to molecular diagnostics laboratories, academic researchers, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, and applied testing customers for purposes such as forensics, animal or food testing and pharmaceutical process control. QIAGEN's assay technologies include one of the broadest panels of molecular diagnostic tests available worldwide, including the only FDA-approved test for human papillomavirus (HPV), the primary cause of cervical cancer. QIAGEN employs more than 2,600 people in over 30 locations worldwide. Further information about QIAGEN can be found at http://www.qiagen.com.


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QIAGEN Focuses New HPV Test Ad Campaign on Real-Life Story of Woman's Escape From Cervical Cancer