A recent study revealed a significant increase in the diagnosis and mortality rates of cervical cancer among women in low-income areas of the U.S., despite the availability of preventive measures. The study, published in the International Journal of Cancer, showed that while screening, early detection, and the widespread use of HPV vaccination have contributed to better protection for women, the accessibility of these methods remains unequal.In the period from 2000 to 2019, the rate of cervical cancer decreased in high-income regions, but surged in low-income areas of the country. This trend particularly affected white women in low-income regions, who experienced a notable increase in late-stage cervical cancer. Similarly, black women in these areas had a significant rise in cervical cancer mortality, while Hispanic women had the highest rate of cervical cancer in poor areas.Despite the availability of preventive measures, the lack of adequate access to vaccination, screening, and treatment in low-income communities has contributed to the alarming disparity in late-stage cancer diagnoses and deaths, according to Jane Montealegre, an associate professor at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. The study, which analyzed data from the National Cancer Institute’s registry, found that low-income counties had a higher rate of hysterectomies following a cervical cancer diagnosis, compared to high-income areas.While the study highlighted the disproportionate impact on white women in low-income areas in terms of late-stage cancer, it also revealed a concerning 2.9% annual increase in cervical cancer mortality among non-Hispanic black women in these regions since 2013. This indicates that either individuals are not being screened or are not receiving appropriate follow-up after screening, jeopardizing the preventability of this disease, as emphasized by Dr. Barbara Goff, a prominent obstetrics and gynecology specialist at the University of Washington School of Medicine. Goff stressed the importance of primary prevention through HPV vaccination and regular screening intervals, stating that cervical cancer is a completely preventable disease.Dr. Sarah Dilley, an assistant professor at Emory University’s Winship Cancer Institute, underscored the impact of disparities in access to specialized practitioners in poor counties, noting that individuals in these areas often lack access to preventive care and treatment. These disparities extend to racial disparities within communities, as evidenced by higher incidence and mortality rates from cervical cancer among Black and Native American women.Virtual cancer forum hosted at the White House centered on cervical cancer treatment, with Dr. Kimryn Rathmell, the National Cancer Institute director, announcing the forthcoming trial program for at-home HPV testing in collaboration with 25 health institutions across the U.S. This initiative is aligned with the Biden administration’s cancer moonshot initiative, which aims to prevent over 4 million cancer deaths by 2047.
