Cervical Cancer rates nationwide have been determined to be higher than previously expected. African American women are now dying at a rate that is 77% higher and white women at a rate of 47%. The new data gives a more accurate reflection by excluding women who had hysterectomies. When having a hysterectomy it reduces the risk of getting cervical cancer. Including these women in the data was giving an inaccurate rate.
The issue that comes into question here is, why is there racial disparity when developing this cancer? Nigel Paneth, MD, MPH and professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Pediatrics and Michigan State University commented, “Dealing with populations infected with HPV, vaccinations are hard to assess, access to pap smears and what is the frequency of black women getting pap smears compared to white.” It all comes down to resources and the community.
In Michigan, 341 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer in the year 2013 and in 2014, 107 had died from this disease. Paneth also noted, “Only 30% of eligible women are getting the vaccine and only 20% of eligible boys.” Many parents are reluctant on having their kids receive the vaccine for a few reasons. One, being in denial of your kid having the possibility of receiving the vaccine for a sexually transmitted disease. Another being the large anti-vaccine movement in this country. Paneth says how a lot of this is based on a lack of knowledge.
In the city of Lansing, Michigan poverty rates are at a 41.6%. With rates this high it is hard to gain and acknowledge resources using to detect, treat and or prevent cancer. This may point out as to why there is racial disparity when it comes to cervical cancer. According to, Agency of Healthcare Research and Quality, “Racial and ethnic minorities are more likely than non-Hispanic Whites to be poor or near poor. In addition, Hispanics, Blacks, and some Asian subgroups are less likely than non-Hispanic Whites to have a high school education” Education is yet another important factor.Learning about preventions and vaccines in school provide knowledge that you may apply to your health. Lansing, having a low socioeconomic status deals with racial disparity in health first hand.
Unfortunately, this near preventable disease comes down to being privileged in society or disadvantaged. The Article, Disparities in Cervical Cancer Mortality Rates as Determined by the Longitudinal Hyperbolastic Mixed-Effects Type II Model, explains the steps necessary to eliminate disparities entirely. One, understand the dynamics of mortality for individual states. Two, know how fast morality rate du to cervical cancer changes with respect to time. Three, to assess, for different groups, whether that gap is widening or narrowing in time. Four, identify factors that contribute to the pace of decline.
Barbara Benham associate director of media public relations at John Hopkins Blomberg School of Public Health also commented on the issue, “Current guidelines do not recommend cervical cancer screening after the age of 65, since it was believed that older women were at much less risk. These new findings suggest the risk remains—and even increases—in older women.” With the newly calculated rate a lot has been considered for cervical cancer. Keeping up to date on medical news may ensure a lower risk factor.
The state of Michigan has addressed health disparities by issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP). The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), Health Disparities Reduction and Minority Health Program requested 10 thousand a piece to applicants interested in developing projects to achieve health equity for Michigan’s racial and ethnic populations.
Although the rate has increased rapidly, progress can still be made. Cervical cancer is a preventable disease. Becoming educated on the issue will help tremendously. Vaccinations for HPV, pap smears, screenings all are ways to help prevent this issue. When it comes to the racial disparity side of cervical cancer progress can also be made. When states address the racial disparity and come up with solutions these rates between African American women and white women will not be so different.
