New research finds that women in the U.S. are dying from cervical cancer at rates far higher than we realized, especially with black women.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins University examined the mortality rate (or death rate) with cervical cancer and say the statistics are skewed because they include women who have had a total hysterectomy and no longer have a cervix (and no risk for cervical cancer). When looking only at women whose cervix is intact, the investigators found the corrected mortality rate for black women with cervical cancer is actually 10.1 per 100,000 compared to 5.7 per 100,000 with the uncorrected data that includes women who have had a total hysterectomy. For white women, the corrected rate is 4.7 per 100,000 versus an uncorrected rate of 3.2.
Without the corrected figures, the authors say we’re underestimating the true disparity between black and white women by a whopping 44%.
The authors say the racial differences likely stem from a variety of factors: compared to white women, black women have more barriers to health care and tend to be diagnosed with cervical cancer at a more advanced stage of disease (when the outcomes are poorer). They also note that differences in treatment may have a role, as black women with cervical cancer are at greater risk of inadequate care.
The American Cancer Society estimates there are approximately 13,000 total new cases of cervical cancer in the U.S. each year and about 4,000 deaths. ASHA president and CEO Lynn Barclay says the racial disparities are unacceptable and needless. “We have the tools to prevent cervical cancer and let me be clear: not one single woman need die from this disease,” she says. “It is heartbreaking that black women continue to suffer an unfair burden of cervical cancer mortality, and a national embarrassment that we’re not developing and funding programs to make sure the most vulnerable communities get the care they need.”
For more on preventing cervical cancer, including how to raise your voice and get involved, visit NCCC online.
The FDA just approved the Teal Wand, a self-collection device for HPV testing that does not require a speculum exam or even a trip to the doctor’s office. People can collect their own sample at home and send it to a lab for analysis.
The results of large-scale study of HPV suggest that one shot of the vaccine may be enough to protect young people from HPV and related issues like cervical cancer.
There are over 100 different types of human papillomavirus, or HPV. Some types of HPV can cause genital warts and other types can cause cancer, including cancer of the cervix, vulva, vagina, penis or anus, as well as cancer in the back of the throat.
The pandemic interrupted our regularly scheduled doctor’s visits and pushed off preventative care like Pap tests.
A new study has found a dramatic drop in the rates of cervical pre-cancers among young adult women. This is great news and further proof that the HPV vaccine is working.
In the U.S., HPV infections are estimated to cause about 37,300 cases of cancer. The HPV vaccine can prevent over 90% of these cancers from ever developing.
ASHA believes that all people have the right to the information and services that will help them to have optimum sexual health. We envision a time when stigma is no longer associated with sexual health and our nation is united in its belief that sexuality is a normal, healthy, and positive aspect of human life.
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