A recent study in Georgia found that Black women are 1.5 times more likely to die of cervical cancer than white women. Similar studies conducted 10 years ago reached the same conclusions.
40 percent of Black women diagnosed with cervical cancer every year will die.
HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) is a sexually transmitted virus that is the main cause of cervical cancer.
Black women continue to lead in the category of high-risk HPV infections. According to Blackdoctor.org, Black women are 1.5 times more likely to test positive for high-risk HPV infections. Also, 56 percent of Black women were still infected 2 years after they were diagnosed.
HPV infection in women clears up on its own. But research has found that Black women have a hard time clearing up HPV infections.
The reasons for the high HPV infection rate among Black women vary from socioeconomic, fear of doctors, a lack of education, no transportation, a lack of nearby clinics and doctors, and a lack of awareness about the HPV vaccine.
Lesbians have a high prevalence of cervical cancer because of risk factors, such as obesity, smoking, and delay in getting Pap smears and pelvic examinations as recommended.
Cervical cancer is a preventable disease if detected early. Pap smears can often detect early changes in cervical cells that are a precursor to cancer.
According to WSB-TV, some Black women don’t know there is a vaccine that can prevent HPV.
The Georgia study recommended that the state expand insurance access, fund programs to prevent and treat cervical cancer, and encourage women to get the HPV vaccine.
