Cervical Cancer Disparities
When it comes to cervical cancer there are significant racial and ethnic disparities that exist in the United States. Black and Hispanic women have a higher incidence of cervical cancer compared to women of other racial/ethnic groups, with the greatest number of new cases being diagnosed among Hispanic women. Additionally, Black women have the highest mortality from the disease and are 80% more likely to die from cervical cancer than White women.
A variety of factors contribute to these disparities, such as access to cervical cancer screening, discrepancies in the care provided and treatment received, and differences in tumor histology. Because regular and timely screening can detect preclinical cervical lesions and early stage cancer, access to screening services and follow-up of abnormal test results can affect stage at diagnosis and overall cervical cancer incidence. So, ensuring adequate access to cervical cancer screening and preventative care remains essential. Also, creating awareness of and access to the HPV vaccine will play an important role in combating these disparities.