The state Assembly Public Health Committee held a public hearing Wednesday, promoting a bill that would make cervical cancer vaccination education mandatory in Wisconsin.

According to a statement by state Sen. Lena Taylor, D-Milwaukee, the “Cervical Cancer Education and Prevention Bill” would require schools to inform students about the new vaccine that prevents Human Papilloma Virus, the precursor disease to cervical cancer in women.

“We have a great opportunity today to help end cervical cancer for the next generation of women,” Taylor said in a statement.

Rebecca Lynn Sterud, a former clinical instructor in cytology at UW-Madison, is also a supporter of the bill.

“[This is] the best thing you can do for yourself right now,” Sterud said of the vaccination.

She said the bill concentrates on vaccinating women who are not yet sexually active because they will not exposure to the virus.

Around 70 percent of adults who are sexually active will contract HPV at some time in their lives, according the statement.

Kelda Helen Roys, the executive director for Pro-Choice Wisconsin, said she was “very grateful” that Senator Taylor is leading the effort to promote HPV education.

“[Cervical cancer] is one of the deadliest cancers and also one of the most preventable,” Roys said. “This vaccine prevents 90 percent of the strains of HPV that cause it.”

Sterud said that even though the vaccine prevents most types of HPV, it is still important for all women to get tested regularly since it can take up to 10 years for HPV to turn into full-fledged cervical cancer.